The pink mite, which is the most southern-living creature yet found, is only about 1/100th of an inch long. This little critter that looks a lot like a spider likes to eat algae and fungi. An entomologist from Hawaii recently discovered this mite only 309 miles from the South Pole. Lichens have been discovered within 266 miles of the Pole, as well. This is the closest any living organism has ever been found.
The only animals that can withstand the yearly weather of Antarctica are insects and insect-like, according to a popular magazine article. There are fifty-six species of arthropods on the continent. You’ll need magnification to see most of them. One insect you could easily see is about the size of a common horsefly. It’s a wingless fly. The animals reanimate when the air reaches temperatures above thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit. They are asleep during Antarctica’s long, hard winter. You will find info on Cruises to Antarctica by visiting that site.
In utter contrast to the seemingly barren land, the waters around Antarctica abound with life from microscopic in size up to the largest living thing anywhere on our planet, blue whales. Scientists opted to use a four by six foot capsule to look at the life under the water. There were six windows available to look into the surrounding waters. The scientists took turns in the water. A hydrophone was included in the design so that ocean sounds could be recorded.
The scientists didn’t see many fish, except for one very spectacular jelly fish. The fish sported thirty foot-long tentacles. The chamber did attract the attention of local seals, who surfaced at a nearby ice hole and looked at the chamber itself. The hydrophones provided their sounds: chirps, beeps, buzzes and whistles. One scientist said he’d never heard such noise before.
These noises help the Weddell seals to navigate and communicate. The Antarctic is a hard place to find both food and air, so the navigation theory makes sense. The sounds the seals have made are being thoroughly examined here. With too high of frequency, and too rapid of a pulse, some sounds can’t be made out by human ears. If you are in search of info don’t forget to view this resource best Antarctic cruise.
Scientists don’t know yet how the Weddell seals make the sounds. Their nostrils and mouths are kept tightly shut when they go underwater. There have been recorded dives by these seals that have been as deep as 1500 feet, which is the deepest any mammal has ever gone.One seal was seen to stay underwater for over 28 minutes before surfacing. One zoologist was lucky enough to get a sample of a mother seal’s milk. This milk is extremely high in fat, and allows baby seals to gain weight very rapidly. Newborn seals can gain five times their own weight in just six weeks.
Using specially-equipped dive suits, scientists have looked at the oceans surrounding Antarctica. Red seaweed, in addition to lots of other colored seaweed, grew on the bottom of the sea. Five foot long worms, four foot sponges and big red and white starfish were also there.
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