The coastal regions of Antarctica also provide a habitat for a variety of terrestrial life, including mosses, lichens, and algae. These organisms are able to survive in the harsh conditions of the Antarctic, where temperatures can drop below -50°C (-58°F). In the summer months, the coastal areas may also support a variety of flowering plants, such as the Antarctic hairgrass and the Antarctic pearlwort.
In the interior of Antarctica, life is much more scarce due to the extreme cold and lack of liquid water. However, some microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, have been found living in the ice and snow. These organisms are able to survive in the harsh conditions of the Antarctic by producing antifreeze proteins and by storing energy in the form of lipids.