Animal Groups
A "huddle" of these flightless birds is essential for surviving Antarctic winter winds.
Emperor Penguins. Emperor penguins are specifically highlighted for huddling because they are the only penguin species—and the only warm-blooded animal—that remains on the open Antarctic ice to breed during the peak of winter.
Unlike smaller hibernators, this animal does not eat, drink, or use the washroom for up to 7 months.
Grizzly Bears
This bird’s oily feathers provide a waterproof barrier against the freezing Antarctic waters
Penguins
This reptile can survive being frozen in permafrost at $-35 and has been known to wake up after being trapped in ice for years.
Small Salamander
Known as the "unicorn of the sea," this whale spends the winter under dense ice packs in the Davis Strait.
Narwhal. The Davis Strait is a major body of water located in the northern Atlantic Ocean, specifically between Greenland to the east and Baffin Island (part of Nunavut, Canada)
A "pack" of these vocal predators works together to take down large prey like elk in the snow.
Wolves
Often called the "Ghost of the Mountains," this cat is the top predator in the snowy Himalayas and uses their exceptionally long, thick tails—which can be up to 1 meter (3 feet) long—as a built-in scarf by wrapping them around their faces to stay warm while sleeping in the snow.
Snow Leopard
This predator's fur is actually translucent and hollow to trap heat, though it looks white in the sun
Polar Bear
This Arctic resident is the only deer species where both males and females grow antlers
Reindeer/Caribou
This massive mammal migrates to warmer waters in winter but feeds on tons of krill in icy polar regions.
Blue Whale.
A "colony" of these winged mammals will cluster together in caves to regulate their temperature during the winter.
Bats
This largest member of the weasel family is a fierce hunter capable of taking down prey much larger than itself. It is also the name of a popular marvel character played by Hugh Jackman
Wolverine
Their massive hind feet which feature splayed toes and thick fur on the soles, acting as natural snowshoes that prevent them from sinking into deep powder. Unlike their desert-dwelling jackrabbit cousins who have massive ears to dissipate heat, the _______has evolved relatively short ears to conserve as much body heat as possible during the freezing winter months.
Snowshoe Hare
This feline’s massive, fur-covered paws act as natural snowshoes to help it hunt in deep snow. These large cats are primarily found in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska; their population is famous for following a 10-year boom-and-bust cycle that perfectly tracks the population of their primary prey.
Canada Lynx
These marine mammals are famous for their white-furred pups born on the North Atlantic ice floes.
Harp Seal
A "pod" of these white whales is often seen navigating through gaps in Arctic sea ice.
Beluga Wales
This raptor is one of the few birds of prey that remains in the high Arctic to hunt during the winter
Snowy Owl
This small predator changes from brown to white in winter, leaving only a black tip on its tail to trick hawks into striking at the wrong spot. Their "winter white" fur, which was historically so prized by royalty that it became a symbol of high status in Europe with coats made of this animal on the collar
Ermine/ Weasel / White Minx
This amazing amphibian survives the winter by literally freezing solid, stopping its heart and breathing until the spring thaw.
The Wood Frog.
Named for its ear-like fins, this is the deepest-living of all known octopuses, found hovering just above the seabed at depths of over 13,000 feet. HINT: It has long, floppy ears, like a popular Disney cartoon Elephant
Dumbo Octopuses
A "herd" of these heavy-coated beasts uses their massive heads to plow through snow to reach buried grass.
Bison
This "Sea Wolf" is the top predator of the icy oceans, often hunting seals on ice floes
Known as the "Sea Parrot," this bird spends its entire winter far out at sea in the North Atlantic, braving freezing waves and gale-force winds. They are chubby looking with a large orange beak
Atlantic Puffin
Not actually a true goat, this white-coated climber has specialized "suction-cup" hooves to help it navigate icy cliffs where predators can't follow
Mountain Goat
This 14-inch-long relative of the pillbug lives on the seafloor and can survive for years without a meal by slowing its metabolism to a crawl
Giant Isopod