Wildlife of Antarctica: Life in the Extreme Cold

Antarctica's fauna is exclusively marine-dependent; the continent itself hosts only microscopic terrestrial life. Key groups:

Penguins (5 breeding species)

• Emperor, Adélie, Gentoo, Chinstrap, Macaroni

Seals (6 species)

• Weddell, Crabeater, Leopard, Ross, Antarctic Fur, Southern Elephant

Whales (seasonal visitors)

• Blue, Fin, Humpback, Minke, Sei, Orca (killer whale)

Seabirds

• Albatrosses (Wandering, Royal, etc.), Petrels, Skuas, Fulmars, Terns

Marine Invertebrates

• Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) – keystone species, massive biomass
• Jellyfish, sea urchins, starfish, isopods, amphipods

Terrestrial Invertebrates

• Mites, springtails (Collembola), nematodes – in ice-free refugia

Fish

• Antarctic toothfish, icefish (Channichthyidae), cod (Nototheniidae) – antifreeze glycoproteins in blood

All are protected under the Antarctic Treaty System; human activity is strictly regulated.