What Eats Antarctic Hair Grass? The Sparse Consumers

Deschampsia antarctica is one of only two flowering plants native to Antarctica. Its consumers are few and incidental:

• Snow petrels – nibble during breeding season.
• South polar skuas – scavenge dead foliage.
• Antarctic fur seals & elephant seals – rare, incidental grazing.
• Micro-arthropods (mites, springtails) – primary decomposers.

Grass is scarce and slow-growing; most animals rely on marine food webs.