ANTARCTIC ANIMALS BY DAN

ANTARCTIC ANIMALS BY DAN


Antarctica has lots of special and unique animals. Mankind must work together to save them and their cycle of life. We also need to help the animals of the seas near Antarctica.

The Leopard seal is one animal that lives on the shores and ice packs around Antarctica. They don’t live on the actual landmass they live on the solid ice formation around Antarctica. They eat fish squid and penguins. Leopard seals are named from their spotted coats. Leopard seals swim with their hind limbs. Some leopard seals have permanent grins. They also are shallow hunters and move easily in the water their average length is 2.9m long.

Orcas also known as Killer Whales are one of Antarctica’s biggest predators. They can eat up to 400 Herring. Orcas also eat squid, penguins, other fish and even bigger whales then them selves. Orcas are toothed whales like Sperm Whales. Orcas have a white under body and a black upper body with white spots. Orcas live in pods with up to 50 whales. The whales stay in the same pod for life. Pods meet for mating. Some Orcas like a pebble belly rub others like to be stroked by kelp. The male dorsal fin is 1.8 m tall. A male is 8.75m long females are 7.5m long. Orcas can jump 12.4m high.

Emperor penguins are the most fames penguins they have orange ear wholes and some orange neck feathers. They also have a black back and a white belly. They eat fish, squid and krill. They catch their food on dives. Their enemies are leopard seals, giant Petrels and Killer Whales. After the mating season the females go to eat they leave the dads with the eggs the males huddle to keep worm. The males move from inside to out to keep worm. When the females get back they feed the chicks.

Ice fish is one of the swimming animals that live near Antarctica. They have evolved antifreeze in their blood. Some ice fish can survive in-2.75 degrees c. they are the only fish that can stay alive in such temperature.

The animals in Antarctica are specialized for their climate. Whether they live in or out of water we must save them.