Arctic Animals
Arctic animals are animals that have adapted to the extreme environmental conditions of the arctic biome located near the North Pole. Known for its cold, wind, snow, and ice, the Arctic Circle is further categorized into two distinct zones: the High Arctic Zone, closest to the North Pole with very little animal or plant life, and the Low Arctic Zone with slightly warmer temperatures that support the majority of arctic life. In response to the environment, many arctic animals have developed specific survival strategies that include growing thicker coats, camouflaging, hibernating, or migrating away.
Animals survive in the arctic by physically developing adaptations to withstand the extreme temperatures such as insulating fur, multiple layers of fat, as well as oily skin coatings. These physical elements in combination with one another help animals live comfortably within the arctic. They also help keep moisture out and heat inside.
Arctic animals have blubber that covers their entire body and is an essential element of the physical anatomy. The blubber of arctic animals helps store energy, insulate heat, as well as increase buoyancy. Although some marine animals also have blubber it is thicker among arctic animals to protect them against the extreme cold.
Arctic animals are typically white because it offers an additional layer of warmth and protection. Arctic animals are white because it has no extra coloring and provides more room for air to insulate them. The white coloring also helps arctic animals blend into their surroundings and acts as a form of camouflage.
