The coldest regions on the planet, with perpetual snow, icy winds and temperatures that sometimes they drop below -60 ºC, At first glance, they appear to be uninhabitable areas. However, they are home to a number of incredibly resilient animal species. animals that withstand the cold They have evolved over thousands of years to cope with extreme conditions with an efficiency that astonishes both scientists and nature lovers.
From the harsh Arctic to the frigid Antarctic, many species have perfected physiological and behavioral mechanisms that allow them to conserve heat, find food, and protect themselves from predatorsLet's take a look at the animal kingdom's protagonists who best withstand the planet's lowest temperatures.
Polar bear: the predator of the ice
El polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is undoubtedly the emblem of Arctic fauna. This enormous mammal can weigh more than 500 kilograms and measure more than two meters. It is extraordinarily adapted to withstand temperatures below -50 ºC thanks to its thick layer of subcutaneous fat, which acts as a thermal insulator, and its white fur which provides camouflage and warmth.
Their hairs, curiously, are hollow, which traps warm air and improves insulation. Furthermore, beneath this white layer lies a black skin which effectively absorbs solar heat. sturdy legs The bear's teeth allow it to walk on the ice for long distances and swim tirelessly in search of prey such as seals and belugas.
To conserve heat, this animal uses a circulatory mechanism called countercurrent exchange, where the warm blood leaving the heart warms the cold blood returning from the extremities, thus minimizing body heat loss. Despite being perfectly adapted, its survival is threatened by climate change which reduces the ice on which it hunts.
Emperor Penguin: The Antarctic Fortress
El Emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) is the bird that best withstands the cold on the planet. It lives in Antarctica, where it endures temperatures as low as -62 ºC y winds exceeding 190 km/hDespite these inhumane conditions, he maintains a constant body temperature of 38°C.
His secret is in his natural shell composed of a dense layer of fat and three levels of waterproof plumage, which also protects it from the icy water where it spends 75% of its life. In addition, these animals live in gigantic colonies, sticking together to conserve collective warmth.
During the winter, the males incubate the eggs for more than two months without feeding, while the females go to sea to hunt. This reproductive strategy ensures that the chicks hatch with the arrival of the Antarctic summer and have a better chance of survival.
Arctic hare: white speed on the snow
Living in countries like Canada, Greenland, Iceland or Scandinavia, the arctic hare (Lepus arcticus) is a true expert in moving on snow and withstanding temperatures of up to -25 ºC. Its white winter fur It serves as camouflage, and when summer comes it changes to a blue tone to continue adapting to the environment.
Its padded hind legs and strong claws allow it run at speeds of up to 60 km/h and prevent it from sinking into the snow. It feeds on roots, leaves, bark, and even small fish in the colder months, scratching the snow to access its food.
Thanks to its highly developed olfactory system, it can detect food beneath the snow and remain active year-round, without needing to hibernate or migrate.
Arctic fox: small, agile and resilient
El arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus), small in size compared to other carnivores, is one of the animals best adapted to the polar cold. It can survive temperatures of up to -50ºC thanks to its thick, warm fur, which changes from white in winter to brown in summer.
This agile predator feeds on small rodents, birds and also carrion left behind by polar bearsTheir short legs, small ears, and bushy tail are perfectly designed to minimize heat loss.
Unlike other species, it does not migrate or go dormant during the winter. It remains active year-round, thanks to its great adaptability and opportunistic ability to find food.
Reindeer: the king of the tundra
El reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), also known as caribou in North America, is one of the most representative animals of the Arctic tundra. It can weigh up to 300 kilograms and is endowed with a thick coat that regulates its body temperature.
Its wide hooves prevent it from sinking into the snow, and also make it easier for it to find food by digging in the frozen ground. Some studies indicate that this animal is capable of change the color of your eyes depending on the sunlight it receives during the seasons, thus optimizing its vision.
Thanks to its ultraviolet vision, detects food and predators even when everything seems white. Also, like other ruminants, its stomach has four cavities, which allows it to digest lichens, moss, and sometimes even small rodents.
Other animals that withstand extreme cold
In addition to those already mentioned, there are other animals that are equally impressive in their ability to adapt to the cold:
- musk ox: It lives in the Arctic and has one of the longest coats in the animal kingdom, between 60 and 90 cm. His qiviut It is a fine wool that is extremely warm and water resistant.
- Elephant seal: Large mammal that stores enormous amounts of fat. His thick skin effectively protects you from the cold ocean.
- Ptarmigan: A bird that sheds its feathers to turn white in winter. Even his paws They are covered with feathers to retain heat.
- Arctic Wolf: A subspecies of the gray wolf perfectly adapted to the frozen territories of the north thanks to its dense fur and their ability to work together as a pack.
- Snow Leopard: Although it inhabits mountainous rather than polar areas, it also has adaptive traits such as thick fur and a long tail that he uses as a blanket.
At the other end of the food chain, we find marine species such as killer whale and Weddell seal, which survive in icy waters thanks to thick layers of fat and incredible evolutionary strategies such as slowing down metabolism or using holes to breathe under the ice.
Animals that inhabit polar regions have developed unique responses to the harshness of winter. From changes in fur color to advanced circulatory mechanisms, to body structures adapted to walking on snow or living below zero for months, Each species holds fascinating evolutionary secrets. Ice loss and rising temperatures threaten these delicate balances, putting their survival and the biodiversity that defines them.
