How Have Animals Adapted to the Polar
Environment?
For each animal, give at least two examples of how they have adapted to live in the polar environment.
Animal Adaptation
Leopard Seal Leopard seals have evolved some
interesting adaptations to help them
survive in their environment. They
have a thick layer of fat called
blubber that sits just beneath their
skin (similar to whales), which helps
to insulate them from the cold
temperatures in Antarctica and thus
keep their bodies warm.
Orca The orca's most notable
adaptation is the ability to
cooperate and hunt in groups
known as pods. Because of the
adaptations in their teeth, they
can hunt a wider range of
animals. Orcas can swim at up
to 45 kph but typically swim at
13 kph. Orcas can dive to a
depth of 100 meters but rarely
dive deeper.
Krill
Krill can shrink their bodies and
survive long periods of
starvation. These adaptations
allow them to survive the
Antarctic winter. Krill travel in
swarms that are so dense that
they can be seen from space.
Emperor
Emperors are uniquely adapted to
Penguin survive these harsh conditions when
temperatures can drop down to a
bone chilling -50°C and with winds of
up to 200km/hr. They have two
layers of feathers, a good reserve of
fat and proportionally smaller beaks
and flippers than other penguins to
prevent heat loss.
How does this help them survive?
Leopard seals have evolved
some interesting adaptations to
help them survive in their
environment. They have a thick
layer of fat called blubber that
sits just beneath their skin
(similar to whales), which helps
to insulate them from the cold
temperatures in Antarctica and
thus keep their bodies warm.
The circulatory system of a
killer whale helps to mainta
body temperature by adjus
to conserve or dissipate bo
heat. Veins surround some
arteries in the flippers, fluk
and dorsal fin.
Both krill food and
predators are on the
surface. To avoid being
eaten, they hide out in the
deep during the day. When
predators can't see well at
night, the krill move to the
surface to eat
phytoplankton.
Emperor penguins have
special nasal chambers that
allow them to recover heat lost
while breathing. They also
have veins and arteries that
are perfectly aligned. Emperor
penguins can recycle their own
body heat thanks to these
adaptations. Antarctic krill must
endure the long, dark winter
months when food is scarce.
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 How Have Animals Adapted to the Polar Environment?
Polar Bear
Their claws are thick and sharp,
allowing them to pull slippery
seals from the water. Polar
bears have large heads with
razor-sharp teeth that they use
to hunt their prey. They have
large canines in the front and
very sharp back molars that aid
in the removal of blubber and
fat from their prey.
Arctic Fox
Arctic foxes have several
adaptations that allow
them to survive. Their
round, compact bodies
minimize surface area that
is exposed to the cold air.
Their muzzle, ears, and
legs are short, which also
conserves heat.
Snowy Owl
They have thick plumage that
extends over the beak and all
the way down to their toes,
making them perfectly adapted
for life in the Arctic Tundra. This
keeps them warm in the winter.
White feathers also help
animals blend in with the snow,
which is useful when hunting.
Reindeer The fur on a reindeer's body
keeps it warm in its extremely
cold habitat. Reindeer have fur
on the bottom of their hooves
to help them avoid slipping on
icy ground. When swimming
across rivers or lakes, their
large, broad hooves also serve
as paddles.
Polar bears have thick fur that
keeps them warm. They
actually have two layers of fur:
1.) A thick, fuzzy, downy layer
next to their skin, similar to how
we would wear a wooly
sweater; 2.) A layer of guard
hairs, or longer hairs, similar to
how we would wear a raincoat.
Their muzzle, ears, and legs are
all short to conserve heat. Of
course, the Arctic fox is
distinguished by its deep, thick fur,
which allows it to maintain a
constant body temperature. Arctic
foxes have thick fur on their paws,
allowing them to walk on snow and
ice.
a snowy owl's adaptation helps
them survive
Owls have strong enough bones in
their feet to withstand the impact of
snatching or striking prey at high
speeds. To protect themselves from
cold temperatures and frostbite, the
majority of owl species have
evolved feathers that cover the tops
of their feet.
a reindeer's adaptation helps them
survive
Caribou (reindeer) use their antlers
to scrape away snow and soil in
order to find food and to defend
themselves. Caribou have antlers
on both male and females, making
them the only deer species with
female antlers.
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