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Here Are 11 Arctic Animals That Not Only Survive, But Also Thrive in the Freezing Polar Landscape

By: Leoma Williams
Originally Published in  
Discover Wildlife
A small Arctic fox walking on snow
© Getty
Vocabulary

Blubber (noun): A thick layer of fat that keeps animals warm.

Tusk (noun): A long, pointed tooth on some animals.

Predator (noun): An animal that hunts and eats other animals.

Tunnel (noun): A passage under the ground or snow.

The Arctic is a cold, snowy place, but many animals call it home. These animals have special skills and bodies to help them live in this freezing land.

Polar Bear

Polar bears are giant, white bears. Their thick fur and fat keep them warm. They are strong swimmers and hunt seals for food.

Walrus

Walruses are huge, blubbery sea animals with long tusks. They use their tusks to fight other walruses and protect their families.

Lemming

These small, furry rodents make tunnels under the snow to stay warm and safe from predators.

Musk Ox

Musk oxen have thick, shaggy coats that keep them warm. Males give off a strong smell to attract females.

Arctic Tern

These birds fly a very long way — from the Arctic to Antarctica — every year. They see two summers each year!

Wolverine

Wolverines are tough hunters. They sometimes fight wolves for food. They are strong and never give up.

Narwhal

Narwhals are whales with long, spiral tusks used to sense the water around them.

Arctic Fox

Arctic foxes have thick white fur in winter and gray fur in summer. Their fluffy tails keep them warm while they sleep.

Greenland Shark

These sharks live for a very long time — up to 400 years! They swim slowly through icy waters.

Snowy Owl

Snowy owls are white birds with big yellow eyes. They hunt small animals, like lemmings, even during the day.

Arctic Wolf

Arctic wolves have white fur to blend in with the snow. They hunt in groups and are very strong.

© Leoma Williams / Our Media