Though they’re native to Antarctica, they’ve been spotted in Argentina and New Zealand, too. The main difference between the Arctic and the Antarctic is geography. Animals as large as whales and polar bears come to feed on them. They spend their entire lives in the Arctic, feeding mostly on seals. These nesting colonies will sometimes contain over half a million birds, which makes them very noisy and super-smelly places. When choosing polar destinations, Antarctica is often top of mind for many people but the Arctic offers distinct and incredible travel experiences. To publish it, click on the 'Publish' button on the SIZE: 1.6 to 2.1m (5 to 6.9 ft) tall, 65 to 210kg (143 to 463 lbs). Though the emperor penguin population is healthy for now, experts project a rapid population decline in the coming years due to climate change-induced habitat loss. DID YOU KNOW: The wandering albatross is the largest of the diomedeidae family and has the largest wingspan of any bird (up to 3.5 m or 11 ft). The fauna is also not the same. Arctic Fox In general, there are far more species of animals living in the Arctic than in the Antarctic, including foxes, hares, birds, walrus, caribou, squirrels and lemmings to name a few. Antarctic animals vs. Arctic beasts: A quick look at who lives where Five animals you'll find at either frigid end of the planet. The Arctic and the Antarctic are the polar regions of the world. Like bison, which they closely resemble, musk oxen are grazing animals that have nearly been wiped out by hunting. This is largely due to the Arctics connection with the mainlands of other continents, during the winter months with the sea freezes over. Next: More arctic and more Antarctica, including Science and survival on Continent 7 and Drifting With the Ice: Life on an Arctic Expedition. HABITAT: These giants of the penguin world are marine creatures, but they’re considered pelagic, which means they stick close to the shoreline. They’re tiny birds (about a quarter of a pound) and some fly over 55,000 miles a year on their round-trip journey between the Arctic and Antarctica. Sea ice differs between the Arctic and Antarctic, primarily because of their different geography. Arctic vs Antarctic Travel Seasons. Antarctica is devoid of large land animals. The Antarctic is home to orcas, penguins, and seals. Compared to the Antarctic, mammals abound in … Penguins live in the Antarctic and are not found in the north pole. Next: More arctic and more Antarctica, including Science and survival on Continent 7 and Drifting With the Ice: Life on an Arctic Expedition. Most of these Arctic animals live in the tundra—the open plains located just north of the taiga. No land animals live in Antarctica but the surrounding seas have seal species such as Weddell, leopard, ross, crabeater, elephant and the Antarctic fur sea, penguin species like adelie, emperor and chinstrap and orcas (killer whales) and blue whales. Unlike other whales, narwhals do not migrate out of the frigid Arctic oceans. HABITAT: These migratory beasts range between 50 and 81 degrees of latitude throughout Canada, the northwestern United States, Greenland, Norway, Finland, Russia, and Mongolia. CONSERVATION STATUS: Vulnerable. The main difference between the Arctic and the Antarctic is geography. Privacy Notice: We use technologies on our website for personalizing content, advertising, providing social media features, and analyzing our traffic. Though there are still plenty of reindeer roaming the Arctic, populations have declined sharply in recent years, which has conservationists concerned. But this article is not only for them. Reindeer have almost become mythical creatures, but they are very real and very common in the Arctic. Why do they behave differently? Jonathon Engels is a traveler, writer, and vegan gardener. As seen in the famous documentary March of the Penguins, this species is renowned for their incredible journey to the harshest breeding grounds on the planet. * The Antarctic has penguins and the Arctic doesn't. POPULATION: The estimated biomass of krill throughout the Antarctic continent is 200 million tonnes. When thinking of Arctic animals, the polar bear is generally the first species to come to mind. Temperatures. His interests include permaculture, cooking, and music. Are you sure you want to delete this blog post? It can be challenging to find the best way for children to learn the difference between Arctic and Antarctic. The main difference between Arctic and Antarctic is that the Arctic is a polar region on the Earth's northern hemisphere and ... in the Arctic includes organisms living in the ice, zooplankton and phytoplankton, fish and marine mammals, birds, land animals, plants and human societies. The symbol of the Arctic is often the polar bear, the pole's cute yet fearsome top predator. They are in the water so often that they’re considered a hybrid aquatic-land animal, hunting at the edge between ice and sea. Experts believe a drastic population loss of about 4 percent a year is due to fisheries — the birds range so far afield that they encounter many longline fleets, upping their risk of being caught accidentally. DID YOU KNOW: Unlike many animals, males and female emperor penguins grow to about the same size and have similar plumage. Antarctica is the earth’s southernmost and fifth-largest continent, dividing the southern waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The Arctic is at the North Pole and the Antarctic is at the South Pole. How many adults still think penguins live in the Arctic?! Antarctic. From sushi to seaweed to Shibuya Crossing, adventurer Marina Barbir shines a light on what makes this country so unique, There are two ways to take in the famed isles and we're sharing the incredible things you can see in either direction, A bevvy of international beverages to help you ring in a refreshing new year, Support global community tourism projects with Planeterra's curated holiday gift shop, Sip the local grapes, scarf down tapas and burn it all off on a hearty 6-day hike through the lesser-travelled regions of Southern Spain. DID YOU KNOW: Arctic foxes don’t start getting chilly until the temperature hits -50°C (-58°F) (!) Sure to be a special entry on any birder’s list, the blue eyed shag is particular to Antarctic and sub-Antarctic areas, where they keep a nest all year. Antarctic. — foreheads are called melons. How many adults still think penguins live in the Arctic?! They are known to travel up to 3,000 miles every year and can run nearly 50 mph. Cracks in the Ice. As a result, Arctic wildlife and Antarctica wildlife are vastly different, and the regions are inhabited primarily by specialized species. DID YOU KNOW: Unlike most owls, snowy owls are diurnal, or active during the day. The primary difference between the Arctic and the Antarctic is a geological one. HABITAT: Throughout the northern seas surrounding Canada, the U.S., Greenland, Russia, Svalbard and the island of Jan Mayen. Polar bears can only be found in the Arctic, penguins can only be found in the Antarctic, all other animals are typically found in both places. In the Arctic there are caribou, beluga whales, and polar bears. Arctic Animals A List of Arctic Wildlife Antarctic animals here - south polar. They are highly regarded divers, able to stay underwater 20-30 minutes on a single breath, and can reach over 4,000 feet deep. SIZE: 2.6 to 4.5m (8.5 to 14.7 ft), 700 to 1,600kg (1,543 to 3,527 lbs). Typically, though, they reside near the coastal waters of Antarctica, where they dine on squid and krill. It's the difference between arc and antarc, as in Atlas and Antiatlas.. the same but different. Antarctica is mostly an ice sheet, with the south pole located some 800 miles from the sea. Instead, they move into the deep water at the end of winter and back to the shallows in summer. They can be found a bit further north than other Antarctic seals. HABITAT: Leopard seals live on and around pack ice throughout the southern hemisphere, from the Antarctic coast to sub-Antarctic islands like Heard, McDonald, and the South Sandwich Islands. These are by far the largest bears on the planet, weighing up to 1,500 pounds and measuring nearly eight feet long. Antarctica is a land mass even though much of it is buried under snow and ice. Want to check out the polar bears of the Arctic? Flora and fauna are very different at the Poles. Lately we've heard a lot about the negative impacts mass tourism has had on beloved destinations such as Barcelona, Venice, and Scotland’s Isle of... We know that curious explorers like yourself will not be content to sit idle during this time of isolation and social distancing, so we reached... Sunday, January 5, 2020Ushuaia, Argentina. Geography. Orcas and numerous other whales are common to the area, as are several species of birds. HABITAT: Snowy owls have an extremely large range that includes Canada, the U.S., Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Russia, China, and Japan — but they have been spotted as far afield as Portugal and Ireland. * The Arctic has polar bears and the Antarctic does not. Their only predators are humans. Though the range of wildlife species in Antarctica is significantly less than in the Arctic, there are still many other animals to find. The symbol of the Arctic is often the polar bear, the pole's cute yet fearsome top predator. 24/7 Service. My understanding of the difference between Arctic and Antarctic was piecemealed over the years by my own developing brain, which often made incorrect assumptions based on poor information and child logic. Then, they jump high and pounce through the snow crust to get it. They are often confused as they have similar names. While Antarctica is nearly completely ice, the Artic has mountains, hills, plains, rivers, tundra, and the taiga, the world’s largest biome. Arctic vs Antarctic Travel Seasons. Or would you prefer the Emperor penguins of Antarctica? Their respective adaptations are consequently usually designed for either heat or cold. The Arctic is at the North Pole and the Antarctic is at the South Pole. Temperatures. Most of the small plants and thick-haired animals, such as musk ox, in the region live on this land. Typical animals in Arctic vs Antarctic: Polar bears. However, the most obvious difference between Antarctic and Arctic is that Antarctic is located in the southern hemisphere and encompasses the South Pole region, whereas Arctic is located in the northern hemisphere and encompasses the North Pole region. No land animals live in Antarctica but the surrounding seas have seal species such as Weddell, leopard, ross, crabeater, elephant and the Antarctic fur sea, penguin species like adelie, emperor and chinstrap and orcas (killer whales) and blue whales. Caribou and reindeer are, in fact, the same species. D was very interested in this lesson as well! G Adventures can get you there. The only real notable differences between the north and south poles are that the seasons occur at opposing times of the year, and Antarctica is generally frostier than the Artic. Another difference is that people live in the Arctic, whereas Antarctica is completely uninhabited (apart from research scientists who live there temporarily at different times of year). Our field leaders gave us... We hope you enjoyed reading part one of our Travel at Home series and learning how Zegrahm’s intrepid expedition team is “traveling” during these... Have you ever found yourself fascinated by an unusual rock? Walrus have distinct herds from the Pacific to Atlantic, and they like to congregate in large social huddles. It can be challenging to find the best way for children to learn the difference between Arctic and Antarctic. Arctic foxes, caribou/reindeer, snowy owls and musk ox: the Arctic showcases a wonderful range of native fauna, though the animals are shy and fearful in the presence of humans. DID YOU KNOW: Though reindeer and caribou look different (reindeer tend to be smaller, for one thing), they’re from the same species. The Arctic also boasts much more flora – nearly 1,500 difference species – than its icy southern counterpart. Here are five animals you’ll find in each region. When thinking of dream destinations, most people first consider the most popular tourist attractions in the world. As a whole, the Arctic is home to far more animals than the Antarctic. The Arctic and Antarctica have different animals - the main difference being that of the two places, polar bears can only be found in the Arctic and penguins can only be found in Antarctica. Arctic, Video recipes: 5 cocktails from around the world for New Year's Eve. Antarctic and Arctic are two regions on Earth. In other words, the Arctic has plentiful plant life, whereas the mere 1% of Antarctica that isn’t ice is sparsely vegetated. Due to being long and slender, they are often much larger (second only to southern elephant seals) than they appear. More of his work can be found at Jonathon Engels: A Life About. Both are technically cold deserts, with very little precipitation. This post is a draft, and thus is not publicly visible. They have unique, forward-facing ears to help them hunt by hearing prey under the snow. by Stacy Lee Kong Posted on 22 June 2017. The first difference between the Arctic and Antarctica is they’re located on opposite sides of the world. Lifetime Deposits™ Day 1 - Arctic vs Antarctica Today we will be finding out about the polar environments and finding out the differences between the arctic and the antarctic. Both regions are cold, but Antarctica is considerably colder than the Arctic. Even so, both the Arctic and Antarctic are home to some incredible wildlife. There was even a rumoured sighting in Bermuda in 2013! Whereas the Arctic is an ocean surrounded by continents. As an agent of change, you have the power to change the world. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. But caribou tend to be slightly larger and wild, while reindeer are basically domesticated caribou. Antarctica. SIZE: 2 to 3m (6.6 to 9.8 ft) tall, 352 to 680kg (776 to 1,449 lbs), HABITAT: These apex predators, whose Latin name means “sea bear,” spend most of their life around water, usually on sea ice throughout northern Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Norway, and Russia. The Arctic is also home to walruses and puffins - neither of which are found in Antarctica. The main difference between polar and tundra regions is that polar regions are the surrounding area of Arctic and Antarctic poles, whereas tundra regions are biomes with a cold climate and less plantation on land.. Antarctica and the South Pole are land areas covered by ice, whereas the ice around the North Pole in the Arctic is pack ice and ice floes that float on the ocean, surrounded by land masses. During this time, the ocean is full of tiny plants and animals called plankton. The Arctic and the Antarctic have plenty in common — namely, both regions are vast, cold, and best accessed by boat. Many seabirds such as the albatross also breed in the Antarctic. The Arctic is an ocean, covered by a thin layer of perennial sea ice and surrounded by land. CONSERVATION STATUS: Near Threatened. But there are other, more subtle differences between these places. KS1 Winter Animals Differentiated Fact File. (You can visit many polar bear habitats on our Realm of the Polar Bear tour, endorsed by animal activist Jane Goodall.). In fact, the largest land animal on the continent is a wingless insect. My understanding of the difference between Arctic and Antarctic was piecemealed over the years by my own developing brain, which often made incorrect assumptions based on poor information and child logic. Please leave a comment and have a nice day. But while they share cold temperatures, Arctic and Antarctic vary drastically in the type of animal life they harbour. SIZE: 0.5m (1.6 ft) tall, with a wingspan of 1.5m (5 ft). The main difference between Arctic and Antarctic is that the Arctic is a polar region on the Earth's northern hemisphere and ... in the Arctic includes organisms living in the ice, zooplankton and phytoplankton, fish and marine mammals, birds, land animals, plants and human societies. Also the regions actually differ in their climates and wildlife. Use this activity / activities to help the children compare the Arctic and Antarctic regions. The Arctic is a semi-enclosed ocean, almost completely surrounded by land. There are many differences between the two regions of the world in a description of the environment, the weather, the plants and animals that live there, and the amount of human activity. That is Arctic is... • Antarctica is a continent surrounded by the world’s stormiest seas. King, chinstrap, and gentoo are three more species of penguins to spot. ... Winter Arctic Animals Habitat PowerPoint. The Arctic is largely sea, with the north pole over 400 miles away from the nearest land mass. Sunset at the Arctic region. Because the Arctic has plants and fresh water, it’s able to support several large land mammals as well as smaller rodents, weasels, and insects. These large marine mammals, who move easily between ice, water and land, are part of the diverse fauna of the Arctic Ocean.. What keeps this marine ecosystem going are organisms you can't see with the naked eye: microscopic phytoplankton and ice algae. CONSERVATION STATUS: Vulnerable. The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis shine in the north and The Southern Lights or Aurora Australis lights the sky in the south. Small plants and shallow root systems compensate for the thin layer of soil, and small leaves minimize the amount of water lost through the leaf surface. The seas are full of whales (such as orca and beluga) and seal species (ringed, bearded, hooded, spotted, harp, and ribbon). CONSERVATION STATUS: Vulnerable. The lowest temperature ever measured, -89.2°C, was registered Vostok in Antarctica on 21 July 1983. They’re found throughout the Arctic, from Canada and Greenland to Russia and Scandinavia. North American populations of rangifer tarandus are called caribou, European ones are reindeer, and none of them can fly (as far we know). Though the range of wildlife species in Antarctica is significantly less than in the Arctic, there are still many other animals to find. There are also more varieties of seals, including the crabeater, southern fur, and Weddell. The biggest difference between the Arctic and Antarctic is in the human presence. FREE Resource! The Arctic is a sea of ice surrounded by land and located at the highest latitudes of the northern hemisphere. DID YOU KNOW: Though they’re tiny — only about the size of your pinky finger — there are so many krill in the Southern Ocean that, at some points during the year, giant schools can be spotted from space. * The Antarctic has no trees. The fauna is also not the same. However, they are quite different. The largest of all penguins, emperor penguins can be nearly four feet tall and weigh almost 90 pounds. So I guess that would be a main difference; they are both pretty chilly at times, long days and nights. In general, there are far more species of animals living in the Arctic than in the Antarctic, including foxes, hares, birds, walrus, caribou, squirrels and lemmings to name a few. Zegrahm Expeditions Adults are a favorite menu item for leopard seals, and the eggs and chicks are loved by skuas (highly aggressive seabirds). The largest seal of all, elephant seals have incredible sexual dimorphism. Antarctica is devoid of large land animals Another difference between the Arctic and Antarctica is that Antarctica is devoid of large land animals. Falkland Islands, Both male and female walrus have the trademark tusks, which are used for defense, breaking ice, and climbing out of the water. Antarctica isn't home to any large land mammals whatsoever. SIZE: 9m (29.5 ft) long, 10 tonnes (22,046 lbs). Seattle, WA 98121, The ABCs of a Luxury Trip to Antarctica: Amenities, Benefits & Cost, A Tribute To Edward Bransfield and the Discovery of the Antarctic Continent, But there are other, more subtle differences between these places. On Antarctica there was never a native community; no one even saw the Antarctic until 1820, no one stepped on it until two years later, and since 1898 no one has spent a whole year there. The Aurora occurs both in the Arctic and the Antarctic. The Arctic and Antarctic is home to many different species. They inhabit some of the harshest conditions on the planet, using different survival methods for withstand the freezing temperatures. Ironically, this toothed whale has only one tooth—its famous “unicorn horn.” Nevertheless, they feed on fish, squid, and shrimp, while predators such as orca and polar bears sometimes feed on them. While travelers visit both locales in their respective summer seasons, these seasons fall in different times of the year: Arctic expedition cruises run from May through September, and Antarctic expeditions from November through … In both places the winters are frozen and devastatingly dark. This simple cut-and-paste activity helps preschoolers see the difference between Arctic and Antarctic animals … Alternate Andalusia: walk off good food and wine on a hiking tour. Despite its lack of plant life, Antarctica is home to many species of animals including seals, whales, and many different kinds of p enguins, such as gentoos, king penguins, and emperor penguins. In Antarctica, the marine fauna boasts sea lions, whales, seals and elephant seals, amongst other creatures. They live primarily on the tundra, and roughly 75% of the current world population (150,000) lives in the Canadian Arctic. 3131 Elliott Avenue, Suite 250 Similar adaptations help plants, algae, fungi, and lichens survive in both the Arctic and Antarctic. These nests are unique in that they consist of a lot of plant matter (rather than merely rocks) and are only built in ice-free spaces. The Arctic summer has daylight 24 hours a day. We labeled our map with North and Arctic versus South and Antarctic. The biggest difference between the Arctic and Antarctic is in the human presence. These giant birds spend most of their time flying — they only return to land to breed. They are enthusiastically hunted by leopard seals and orca. The Arctic is just frozen ocean, with no land mass. Animals in polar regions have … Note: If you only want to remove this post from public view, you can choose to unpublish it instead. Little rotund bodies, short appendages, and lots of thick fur have helped the Arctic fox adapt to their frozen environmental conditions. Males can weigh upwards of 8,000 pounds and 15 feet long, while females rarely exceed 1,800 pounds and nine feet long. SIZE: 115cm tall (45 in), up to 40kg (88 lbs). Weighing a mere 11 pounds, Adelie penguins live in the deep, deep south and travel long distances inland to nest. The Arctic is largely sea, with the north pole over 400 miles away from the nearest land mass. Geography - Antarctica is a land mass, a continent. Here’s a look at the most noteworthy species: The Arctic spans Europe, Asia, and North America, with animals able to migrate to warmer environs in the winter and back to enjoy the more productive summer. Antarctic animals vs. Arctic beasts: A quick look at who lives where Five animals you'll find at either frigid end of the planet. Snowy owls, puffins, and other hardy fowl make for exciting birdwatching opportunities. I hope you like it. SIZE: 75 to 115cm long, 2.5 to 9kg (6 to 20 lbs), HABITAT: Throughout the Arctic tundra in Canada, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Svalbard, Jan Mayen and Sweden. Travel lovers gift guide: 5 gifts that give back! Rodents, such as lemmings, squirrels, and Artic hares, are ever-present, as are Arctic wolves, moose, and Dall sheep. On Antarctica there was never a native community; no one even saw the Antarctic until 1820, no one stepped on it until two years later, and since 1898 no one has spent a whole year there. There are many differences between the two regions of the world in a description of the environment, the weather, the plants and animals that live there, and the amount of human activity. 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