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Antarctica – valued, protected and understood
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The centre of the emperor penguin huddle. Photo: Robyn Mundy
Antarctic animals adapting to the cold
Antarctic animals are exposed to some of the coldest environments on earth. These animals have physical adaptions (generally evolved over many generations) and patterns of behaviour that help them survive the extreme conditions.
Southern elephant seals have thick layers of blubber to keep them warm. Photo: Maria Tomasi
Physical adaptations
Thick, windproof or waterproof coats
Many Antarctic animals have a windproof or waterproof coat.
Emperor penguins（https://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/animals/penguins/emperor-penguins/） are a very good example. These birds have 4 layers of scale-like feathers. The layers overlap each other to form a good protection from the wind, even in blizzard conditions.
Fat (or blubber) layers
Whales（https://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/animals/whales/）, seals（https://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/animals/seals/） and some penguins（https://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/animals/penguins/） have thick layers of fat (or blubber). These fat layers act like insulation, trapping body heat in. The effect is like wrapping yourself in a blanket.
When blood circulates close to the skin, precious body heat is lost. Some animals can selectively reduce the flow of blood to their blubber layers. This reduces the amount of energy it takes to stay warm by keeping blood further away from the skin surface.
Blubber layers can also be used as an energy reserve. Male elephant seals（https://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/animals/seals/elephant-seals/）can live off their fat reserves during summer.