Animals That Live at the North Pole

Animal life at the North Pole

The North Pole--often referred to as the Arctic--is the area at the northernmost end of the Earth. This extremely cold, frequently snowy biome teems with life forms ranging from microscopic zooplankton to enormous whales. The land surrounding the North Pole, referred to as tundra, also boasts animal life well-adapted to the extreme conditions in the area.

Arctic Fox

The Arctic fox is one of the most endearing inhabitants of the tundra and coastal regions of the Arctic. Its snowy white fur during winter serves as a camouflage against potential predators, while its grayish-brown summer coat matches the white-brown tundra areas when the snow has melted off. Arctic foxes' thick fur serves as insulation against the cold climate, while their relatively small ears help decrease heat loss. They thrive on smaller mammals and fish, and occasionally on birds and eggs that they stumble upon during hunting sprees.

Beluga Whale

Also known as the white whale or sea canary, the beluga whale is a relatively small whale growing to an average of 15 feet in length. Their 34 teeth allow belugas, being carnivores, to seize and tear their prey, which comprises an assortment of squid, fish, crustaceans, and sometimes even octopuses and worms. Upon maturity, an adult beluga whale will be white in color, with a stout body and a small, rounded head. These mammals usually live in groups, called pods, and will hunt and migrate together.

Northern Fur Seal

The Northern fur seal derives its name from its thick, two-layered, dark grayish-brown fur, which serves as insulation against the cold climate of the North Pole. When on land, fur seals live in large colonies, but form smaller groups called “rafts” when in the water. Their diet consists of squid, octopus and fish, which they usually hunt when darkness sets in; however, they are also hunted by other predators such as killer whales, sharks and large sea lions.

Arctic Tern

The arctic tern is a small bird that inhabits the North Pole during the summer, when it breeds in the Arctic regions, but migrates to the Antarctic during the winter. It is one of the most admirable fliers, journeying about 21,750 miles each year between the Arctic and Antarctic. This 12- to 15-inch-long bird has a white, rounded head, with a black cap just above the eyes, and red, webbed feet. Its diet consists of small fish, and the occasional insects and krill.

References

• Ask Schools: The Arctic
• Enchanted Learning: Arctic Animals