Antarctic Animals
A List of Antarctic Wildlife
Arctic
animals here - north polar
Antarctica has an abundance of animal life including the charismatic
mega fauna that you have seen pictures and videos of, though
you may be surprised to find that they live far more interesting
and complex lives than you imagine. Almost all of these animals
are dependent on the sea, the largest truly land animal is a
wingless midge about 13mm / 0.5 of an inch long. Being dependent on the sea and mainly warm blooded,
many Antarctic animals tend to be quite large for survival
in the
extreme and relentless cold. That Antarctica can support such
an abundance of large animals is a result of the productivity
of the southern polar sea.Penguins
Emperor penguins
Aptenodytes forsteri
King Penguins
Aptenodytes patagonica
Adelie penguin
Pygoscelis adeliae
Chinstrap penguin
Pygoscelis antarctica
Gentoo penguin
Pygoscelis papua
Whales and Seals
Whale species
Species and lifestyle
Weddell seals
Leptonychotes weddelli
Southern Fur
seal
Arctocephalus gazella
Southern Elephant seal
Mirounga leonina
Crabeater seal
Lobodon carcinophagus
Leopard Seal
Hydruga leptonyx
Other Animals
Krill
Euphausia superba
Wandering albatross
Diomedea exulans
Snow petrel
Pagrodama nivea
Antarctic skua
Catharacta maccormicki
Blue eyed shag
Phalacrocopax atriceps
Giant petrel
Macronectes giganteus
Cape pigeon
Daption capensis
Snowy Sheathbill
Chionis albus
Arctic tern
Sterna vittata
Antarctic Land Invertebrates Picture credits: Emperor penguin - Warner Brothers / King Penguin - Liam Quinn from Canada - Creative common Share and Share Alike 2.0 license /