Polar and artic animals are some of the most fascinating creatures on Earth. From the massive blue whale to the tiny arctic fox, these animals have adapted to life in some of the harshest conditions on the planet.
Here are some fun facts about polar and artic animals that will make you want to learn more about them!
- The largest polar animal is the blue whale. These gentle giants can weigh up to 200 tons and measure over 100 feet long!
- Polar bears are excellent swimmers! They can swim for miles at a time and have been known to dive as deep as 3,000 feet in search of food.
- Walruses are huge! Adults can weigh up to 1,700 pounds and measure up to 11 feet long! But they're not just big, they're also strong – a single adult walrus can haul itself out of water onto an ice floe using nothing but its own strength.
- Penguins are another group of amazing swimmers. Some species of penguin (like the emperor penguin) can stay underwater for nearly an hour at a time – reaching depths of over 1,000 feet! And when they're swimming at top speeds, penguins look like little fireballs hurtling through the water thanks to their black and white feathers creating a blinking effect under water.
- Polar bears are one of the most feared predators in the Arctic, but did you know that they actually eat mostly plants? That’s right – polar bears are mostly herbivores, with seals making up only a small part of their diet.
- The arctic fox is one of the smallest members of the canine family, but don’t let its size fool you – this little guy is a fierce hunter! Arctic foxes have been known to take down prey much larger than themselves, including reindeer.
Do you love learning about Polar and Artic animals? I sure do! That's why I created this Winter animals activity pack to complement and get fun with Porlar and Artic animals lessons! Learning can be so much fun when you add some creativity to it. So go ahead and get your copy of the pack here.
