Antarctic Animals

Euphausia superba

Antarctic krill is a small, shrimp-like crustacean that forms the foundation of the entire Antarctic food web, supporting whales, seals, penguins, and countless fish species. Despite its tiny individual size, its total biomass is estimated to be one of the largest of any animal species on Earth, gathering in massive swarms that can stretch for kilometers and be seen from space.

Balaenoptera musculus

The blue whale is the largest animal known to have ever existed — larger than any dinosaur — filtering enormous quantities of tiny krill from the ocean through comb-like baleen plates as it roams nearly every ocean on Earth except the high Arctic. Populations were driven to the edge of extinction by 20th-century commercial whaling before international protections took hold; an estimated 10,000 to 25,000 remain today, a small fraction of pre-whaling numbers.

Pygoscelis antarcticus

The chinstrap penguin is named for the narrow black band running under its chin, giving it the appearance of wearing a tiny helmet strap. Among the most numerous penguin species in the world, it breeds in enormous colonies across the Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding sub-Antarctic islands.

Aptenodytes forsteri

The emperor penguin is the tallest and heaviest of all penguin species, uniquely breeding through the brutal Antarctic winter on sea ice far from open water.

Hydrurga leptonyx

The leopard seal is one of Antarctica's top predators, named for the dark spotted pattern across its pale coat and a fierce reputation to match. Unlike most seals, which primarily eat fish, the leopard seal is a formidable hunter capable of taking down penguins and even other seal species.