Antarctica is a unique place on the face of the earth and, as such, has a unique fauna of the place.
The wildlife of Antarctica is incomparable to that of any other place you can imagine.
Due to the harsh climatic conditions in Antarctica, these species have had to adapt over the years.
One of the most interesting incentives when it comes to sailing trips that take you to Antarctica is to be able to enjoy this fauna up close.
If you want to live an unforgettable experience, these sailing trips are the best way to enjoy penguins, whales, seals and also learn something more about animals such as krill.
Here you will learn everything you need to know about the animals of Antarctica.
Getting to know these animals better will help you enjoy your sailing trips much more.
All this is what is waiting for you in Antarctica.
Characteristics of Antarctic animals
Each animal in Antarctica has its own characteristics, however, the vast majority of them are governed by two common aspects, Allen’s rule and Bergmann’s rule.
Allen’s rule explains that animals that regulate their body temperature, i.e. endotherms, have smaller limbs, ears and snouts.
This reduces heat loss and therefore better adapts to the low temperatures of Antarctica.
On the other hand, Bergmann’s rule postulates that animals living in these cold regions are larger than other similar species .
One of the clearest examples can be seen in penguins, as those that live at the poles are larger than tropical penguins.
Beyond these two main rules, Antarctic animals also boast a thicker layer of fat.
This thick layer helps maintain the animal’s body temperature and protects it against high temperatures such as extreme cold.
In the same way that there are animals with the thickest layer of fat , we also find similar examples in birds, since they have denser plumages and other animals that also have stronger fur.
Both the fur and the denser plumage act as a barrier in these marine animals against wind and water.
What is the compass rose for: Importance in navigation
One of the keys to understanding what the compass rose is for is to know the divisions well.
As we mentioned before, these divisions serve to divide the compass rose into different segments from the center, which is the horizon.
From these divisions the courses can be established, both lateral and collateral and co-collateral as we have seen.
The compass rose identifies the direction and denomination of the winds depending on the direction of origin.
Although you may think that the compass rose has lost great importance due to the technological advances that exist in navigation, the truth is that this representation is still part of the most advanced navigation systems such as VOR, GPS or NDB.
Antarctic Animals: Mammals of Antarctica
One of the most well-known mammalian animals in Antarctica are seals.
Here we can find different varieties such as the Weddell seal that can be recognized by its large eyes, the crabeatera seal or the leopard seal.
In addition to seals, we can also find elephant seals, one of the most impressive animals found in Antarctica and that carry out fierce fights to the death when the breeding season arrives.
If we take a look at the species that populate the water of Antarctica, the most famous species is the humpback whale.
The humpback whale’s main food is krill, a tiny animal that they feed on using a process known as bubble feeding.
Another type of whale that you can see in Antarctica is the minke whale, one of the smallest whales in existence.
Finally, the killer whale is also characteristic of Antarctica.
Somewhat less friendly than the whale, the killer whale can also be seen in other oceans around the world, although it has been able to adapt especially well to the extreme habitat of Antarctica.
Fauna of Antarctica: Birds of Antarctica
In the same way as with whales, if we start talking about birds we also find one that stands out above the rest, the penguin.
Although they are flightless birds, penguins have been able to adapt perfectly to Antarctica, so they are excellent swimmers, which makes them perfect fish hunters.
One of the most emblematic species within all this biodiversity of Antarctica is the emperor penguin.
It is one of the most striking due to its large size.
The second largest penguin is the king penguin, a penguin that is also known to the naked eye due to the yellow spots on its head.
Another of the most common penguins is the Adélie penguin, a somewhat smaller, but quite agile penguin.
In addition to penguins, if you sail aboard a sailboat in Antarctica you may encounter petrels.
These seabirds are characterized by having fairly long and narrow wings that serve to glide through the ocean.
As with penguins, there are also different types of petrels.
The giant petrel is one of the largest seabirds in the entire world, while there is also the Antarctic petrel which is somewhat smaller.
In addition to petrels in Antarctica you can find skuas, cormorants and the classic seagulls that have also adapted to these low temperatures.
Antarctic Fish
Despite the harsh climate of Antarctica, it is also possible to encounter several different species of fish.
One of the most diverse families in Antarctica is the Nototheniidae, in which some species such as ice cod are recognized.
Another very popular family is the Lipariadae, commonly known as the slugfish due to their gelatinous skin free of scales that helps them adapt to these low temperatures.
All these families of fish, although they may be different, have some common characteristics in which they coincide.
These are fish with a slower metabolism.
This slow metabolism helps them survive on less oxygen and food.
The coloration of these fish is also quite characteristic.
Unlike other more colorful species typical of tropical climates, in Antarctica the fish have a much darker coloration with which they camouflage themselves perfectly in the depths of the ocean.
Experiences in our sailing expeditions
Carrying out an expedition to Antarctica is something that is not forgotten in life.
With us you can count on the best expeditions to Antarctica so that you can safely enjoy all these animals that we have mentioned above.
Due to the conditions of Antarctica it is very important to travel with the best and we have the best equipment and professionals to provide you with an unparalleled experience with which you can enjoy all these unique species.
If you want to enjoy the marine habitat of Antarctica in first person and with the best of experiences, we put at your disposal our best sailboats and crew to make your trip to Antarctica an unforgettable experience.
Enjoy one of the most inhospitable places on earth like you’ve never done before thanks to the Alegría Marineros team.
