North Pole Animals

Author: Peter Berry
Date Of Creation: 11 February 2021
Update Date: 12 November 2024
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The Unsung Heroes of the Arctic - Ep. 3 | Wildlife: The Big Freeze
Video: The Unsung Heroes of the Arctic - Ep. 3 | Wildlife: The Big Freeze

Content

The North Pole is one of the most mysterious and inhospitable areas on planet Earth, with truly extreme climate and geography. Similarly, the North Pole fauna it is really surprising as it is perfectly adapted to the cold living conditions of its environment.

In this PeritoAnimal article, we'll talk about the so-called ice animals, how these animals adapt to their habitat and the characteristics that make this possible. We'll also show you some fun facts about some North Pole animals, which you will definitely enjoy meeting.

North Pole Animal Habitat

The North Pole is located in the Arctic Ocean, forming a huge floating ice sheet without any solid land mass. Depicted geographically between the 66º - 99º parallels of north latitude, this place is the only place on the planet where all directions point south. However, humans are unaware of a great deal of data about this place, because given our biology and Arctic conditions, living at the North Pole is virtually impossible, something few daring people can accomplish.


Given its location on planet Earth, in the arctic zone there are 6 months of sunlight continuous followed by others 6 months of full night. During winter and autumn, the temperature of the North Pole fluctuates between -43ºC and -26ºC, being the most difficult time of the year and, although it is hard to believe, it is a "hot" time compared to the South Pole, where the temperature can reach -65ºC in winter.

In the light seasons, that is, spring and summer, temperatures are around 0ºC. But it is precisely at this time that it is possible to see a large number of living beings struggling to survive. However, it is also the period when the greatest ice loss is observed.

O problem of melting glaciers at the North Pole is one of the most troubling issues in the world today. Although the thickness of Arctic sea ice is about 2 to 3 meters, this is not always true. Studies show that the average thickness has decreased considerably in recent years and that it is very likely that summers at the North Pole will no longer have ice in the coming decades.


O global warming it is accelerating, threatening the existence of the animals that live at both poles, and even our survival. The loss of the poles would cause very serious complications for the health of the planet, its climate in general and the ecosystem livelihood.

Next, we will comment a little more on the characteristics of animals from the North Pole.

Characteristics of North Pole Animals

Compared to the South Pole, where weather conditions are even more severe, the North Pole has the greatest biodiversity of the two poles. However, life there is not what we are used to seeing in the forests and jungles, as there is much less diversity. They exist very few species of animals and just a few plants.


The endemic animals of the North Pole stand out, in general, and among many other characteristics, for the following:

  • Fat layer under the skin: North Pole animals rely on this layer to insulate the cold and keep the body warm;
  • dense coat: this feature allows them to protect themselves and adapt to intense cold;
  • by white: the so-called ice animals, especially arctic mammals, take advantage of their white fur to camouflage themselves, defend or attack their prey.
  • Few bird species: There are almost no species of birds among the arctic animals, and those that exist usually migrate south during the winter to seek warmer areas.

Next, you'll get to know 17 animals from the North Pole better. Some of them are also in our selection with the best funny animal pictures.

1. Polar Bear

Among the animals of the North Pole that stand out the most, the famous Polar Bear (Ursus Maritimus). These precious "teddy bears", which look like stuffed animals, are actually some of the strongest animals in the whole pole. This particular species is only visible in arctic regions, at least in the wild, and they are animals. lonely, intelligent and very protective with their puppies, who are born during their parents' hibernation period.

These North Pole carnivorous animals feed on a wide variety of mammals, such as baby seals or reindeer. Unfortunately, the North Pole's most iconic animal is also one of the species in risk of disappearing. We must know that the polar bear is in danger of extinction due to climate change, the subsequent destruction of its habitat (thawing) and hunting.

2. Harp Seal

Seals are also abundant in these places, as well as in the rest of the world. They are gregarious animals that live in groups and feed on fish and shellfish. In addition, these North Pole mammals, categorized within the group of pinnipeds, can dive up to 60 meters deep and remain submerged for up to 15 minutes without breathing.

At harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus) are abundant in the Arctic and stand out for having a beautiful white and yellowish coat at birth, which becomes silver gray With the age. In adulthood they can weigh between 400 and 800 kg and reach, despite its weight, speeds above 50 km/h.

Despite being prey to some of the animals of the North Pole, this species is especially long-lived and some specimens have already reached the 50 years old.

3. Humpback Whale

Between the North Pole aquatic animals, we can highlight the whales or rorquais, the largest aquatic animals of the North Pole. Unfortunately, the colossal whales have also been severely affected by human action, and are therefore endangered animals. Currently, they are in vulnerability or threat state according to the Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).

THE humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is one of the largest aquatic mammals. It is approximately 14 meters long and weighs about 36 tons, although typical arctic water species can weigh up to 50 tons.

This particular species can be recognized by its "hump" characteristic located on the dorsal fin. In addition, it is very sociable, has a generally sharper singing than the rest of the whales and tends to give somersaults and perform extraordinary movements in the water and worthy of attention.

4. Walrus

This other carnivorous and semi-aquatic animal lives in arctic seas and coasts. The walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) belongs to the pinniped family and has a very special appearance, with huge fangs present in both sexes, which can measure up to 1 meter in length.

Like other animals from the North Pole, it has extremely thick skin and is large, weighing between 800 kg and 1,700 kg between males and females, in turn, they weigh between 400 gk and 1,250 kg.

5. Arctic fox

This canid stands out for its unique beauty, thanks to its white coat and its sociable personality. THE arctic fox (alopex lagopus) has a snout and wide pointed ears. How is a nocturnal animal, your smell and hearing are very developed. These senses allow them to locate their prey under the ice and hunt them down.

Thus, their diet is based on lemmings, seals (which polar bears tend to hunt, although they do not fully devour them) and fish. Thus, despite being a small North Pole animal, between 3 kg and 9.5 kg, it is a natural predator in this very inhospitable area.

6. Narwhal

the narwhal (Monodon monoceros) is a type of toothed whale and it is also threatened with extinction mainly due to climate change.

From here, we will present the names, scientific names and photos of the upcoming North Pole animals from our list.

7. Sea lion

Scientific name: Otariinae

8. Elephant Seal

Scientific name: Mirounga

9. Beluga or White Whale

Scientific name: Delphinapterus leucas

10. Reindeer

Scientific name: rangifer tarandus

11. Arctic wolf

Scientific name: Canis lupus arctos

12. Arctic tern

Scientific name: heavenly sterna

13. Arctic hare

Scientific name: Lepus arcticus

14. Hairy Jellyfish

Scientific name: Cyanea capillata

15. Snow Owl

Scientific name: vulture scandiacus

16. Musk Ox

Scientific name: Moschatus sheep

17. Norwegian lemming

Scientific name: lemmus lemmus

Are there penguins at the North Pole?

One of the most common misconceptions about animals that live at the poles should be clarified: there are no penguins at the North Pole. Although we can observe other types of birds from the North Pole, such as the arctic tern, penguins are typical of the coastal region of Antarctica, just as polar bears live only in the arctic zone.

And as we've talked about, animals at the North Pole are being severely affected by climate change. Therefore, be sure to watch the following video on this topic:

If you want to read more articles similar to North Pole Animals, we recommend that you enter our Curiosities section of the animal world.