You’d be surprised that the farthest southern living animal is actually a pink mite. This tiny creature is only 1/100th of an inch long. This tiny critter likes algae and fungi and looks a lot like a spider. An entomologist from Hawaii recently discovered this mite only 309 miles from the South Pole. Within 266 miles of the South Pole, this same entomologist found lichens growing. This is far closer than any living organism has been found to the Pole.

Insects and insect-type life forms are the only kind of animals that live year-round on Antarctica. If you’d like to see most of the fifty-six species of arthropods from Antarctica, you’ll need some sort of magnification. They’re too small to see with your naked eye. The biggest is a wingless fly that is about the same size as a horsefly. When the temperature finally gets to 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the melting point of water, the dormant animals are reactivated. You will find info on Antarctic cruise by visiting that site.

While the continent itself is barren and lifeless, there are all manner of animals traversing the Antarctic oceans, like the giant blue whale, which dwarfs every other living creature.At one point, scientist sought to observe the sea’s creatures by lowering a steel capsule under the ice. It measured six by four feet. The professionals each took turns climbing into the make-shift lab, and looked out the windows at the dark, cold world around them. They even utilized a hydrophone to listen into the sea life.

The scientists didn’t see many fish, except for one very spectacular jelly fish. The fish sported thirty foot-long tentacles. Seals were constantly surrounding the chamber. They were very curious about it. The hydrophones provided their sounds: chirps, beeps, buzzes and whistles. This was an underwater racket one scientist hadn’t heard previously.

These noises help the Weddell seals to navigate and communicate. The navigation theory helps scientist understand how the seals could find food and sources of air in the dark waters. Analysis of the seal sounds is being performed in the Antarctic.Human ears can’t even hear all the sounds the seals make due to their rapid beat and high frequency. If you are in search of info don’t forget to view this resource Antarctic cruise ship.

Scientists don’t know how Weddell seals make all their sounds. Their nostrils and mouths are kept tightly shut when they go underwater. Weddell seals can dive very deep; one holds the records for all mammals at nearly 1500 feet. One seal was seen to stay underwater for over 28 minutes before surfacing. With a lot of time and care, it was possible for a zoologist to earn the trust of a mother seal and get a sample of the milk that the mother excretes.Seal milk has a much higher fat ratio than human milk does. This is one of the reasons that baby seals can gain weight more quickly than any other mammal. In fact, a baby seal only takes a month and a half to quintuple its own weight.

The Antarctic seas have been traversed time and time again by wetsuited scientists.Colorful seaweeds, including red ones, filled the ocean’s bottom. Other species included five foot words, four foot sponges, and starfish that had both red and white coloration on it, making Antarctica the most interesting place to find new life.

Tags: Antarctica, Antarctica Cruise, Antarctica travel, Antarctica Vacation, Travel News

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