# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Arctic vs. the Antarctic - Camille Seaman

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The Arctic facts for kids: read on to find incredible facts and figures about this amazing polar region.

In this article, you'll find out where the Arctic is, learn about its climate and wildlife, and discover what life is like at the northernmost part of the world ...

The Arctic Facts For Kids: What Is The Arctic?

The Arctic is the region around the North Pole. It is a sea of ice, surrounded by cold, treeless lands.

Despite these inhospitable conditions, the Arctic is home to many animals and plants. Many species living here have evolved special adaptations to live in the harsh environment.

The Arctic is the 'Land of the Midnight Sun'. In the summer, months go by without the sun setting. In the winter, 'Polar Nights' - during which the sun never rises - also last for several months.

The North Pole itself is the northernmost point of Earth. Unlike the South Pole, which is on land, the North Pole is situated in the frozen sea ice of the Arctic Ocean.

Amazing Arctic Facts For Kids (and Adults!)

(In a hurry? You'll find a quick list of interesting Arctic facts at the bottom of the page.)

Where Is The Arctic?

There are actually several definitions of where -and what - the Arctic is.

The most commonly used definition of the Arctic is the 'region north of the Arctic Circle'. (You can find out what the Arctic Circle is below.)

Another definition of the Arctic is the 'region in which the average temperature of the warmest month is under 10°C (50°F)'. Other definitions have been created by governments and organizations to include various geographical features and boundaries.

How Big Is The Arctic?

Using the 'north of the Arctic Circle' definition, the Arctic has an area of around 20 million km² (7.7 million square miles).

The Arctic Circle
What is the Arctic Circle?
The Arctic Circle is an imaginary line that circles the northernmost parts of the earth. This circle runs parallel to the Equator.

This Arctic Circle's position isn't fixed. Instead, it marks the region in which, for at least 24 hours in a year, the sun doesn't fall below the horizon (and also, for at least 24 hours in winter, the sun doesn't rise above the horizon).

In fact, due to variances in the earth's axial tilt*, the Arctic Circle is currently migrating slowly northwards about 15 m (49 ft.) every year.

* As the earth revolves around the sun (to give us years), it is itself spinning (to give us days and nights). The earth is tilted to one side as it spins, and this is known as the 'axial tilt'. The angle at which the earth is tilted changes fractionally over time due to the moon and the tides.

The Arctic Circle: Land Of The Midnight Sun

During the summer in the Arctic there are times when it doesn't get dark - even at midnight!

During the winter, there are times when the sun doesn't rise over the horizon - even at noon!

In the Arctic Circle, there is at least one 24 hour period every summer during which the sun doesn't set. This is known as 'Midnight Sun'.

There is also at least one 24 period in the winter during which the sun doesn't rise. This is known as the 'Polar Night'.

The further north you go, the longer the periods are during which the sun either doesn't rise, or doesn't set.
At the North Pole, the sun sets once a year, and rises once a year!
The video below shows how the sun doesn't set in an Arctic summer.

The long summer days and long winter nights in the Arctic are due to the tilt of the earth. The earth spins at an angle (i.e. it's tilted) as it revolves around the sun.
During the summer, parts of the Arctic Circle are never 'hidden' from the sun for the whole 24 hours it takes for the Earth to spin on its axis. In other words, it never gets dark! Likewise, during the winter, parts of the Arctic Circle remain 'hidden' from the sun for 24 hours. In other words, it's always night!
... This is at the southern limits of the Arctic Circle. The further north you go, the longer the periods during which the sun either doesn't rise, or doesn't set, become.

Arctic Circle Latitude

The Arctic Circle lies parallel to the Equator, and is approximately 66.5°* north of the Equator. This number is the latitude of the Arctic Circle.

Latitude measures how far north (or south) something is. It's the angle between the equator and a point on the earth, measured from the centre of the earth.

The latitude of the Equator is 0°. The latitude of the North Pole is 90°N. (The latitude of the South Pole is 90°S.)

* In fact, as of February 2016, the exact latitude of the Arctic Circle is 66°33′46.1. As we've seen, this number changes very slowly over time, due to slight changes in the tilt of the earth.

The Arctic Ocean

The Arctic Ocean covers almost 5.5 million square miles (just over 14 million km²). It is almost five times the size of the Mediterranean, and almost as large as Antarctica.

The Arctic Ocean is almost entirely covered in drifting sea ice during the winter. In the summer, around 50% of the Arctic Ocean remains frozen.

The video below shows the amazing scenes as winter changes to summer.

The permanent Arctic sea ice is between 3 and 4 metres (10 and 13 ft.) thick, with thicker parts of up to 30 metres (100 ft.) thick. It is usually covered in snow, and ice ridges of up to 15 m (50 ft.) can form on the surface.

There is great concern over the amount of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean. Until recently, the amount of sea ice has been falling (by around 3%) every year. Scientists argue whether this is caused by natural or man-made factors.

Many scientists predict that the Arctic Ocean will be largely free of summer sea ice by the middle of the 21 st century. Some predictions say that this could happen as soon as 2030, or even sooner.

However, recent studies have shown that the ice cap shrinkage has slowed in recent years, and that the amount of sea ice may actually be increasing.

The Arctic ice cap is important for several reasons. The ice prevents the Arctic Ocean from losing heat. Snow-covered sea ice also reflects solar radiation back into the atmosphere. If the ice melts, then sea levels around the world will rise. This will have a number of knock-on effects, not least the chance of flooding in low-lying areas.

The melting ice cap is already forcing the polar bear to change its behaviour. The polar bear does most of its hunting from the sea ice. There is now less sea ice, and what is left tends to melt sooner. The bears have to do more hunting inland, and are less able to build up valuable fat reserves for the winter.

People Living In The Arctic

Due to the harsh conditions of the Arctic, the area is sparsely populated. However, there are cities and towns within the Arctic Circle, including the Russian cities of Murmansk, Norilsk and Vorkuta and the Norwegian city of Tromsø.

Man has lived in the Arctic for thousands of years. Indigenous peoples of the region include the Inuit of Alaska, Canada and Greenland, and the Yupik of Alaska and Siberia.

Arctic Tundra

Large areas of land inside the Arctic Circle are tundra. Tundra is a harsh, treeless environment in which the soil is permanently frozen.

Soil that remains at temperatures below the freezing point of water for longer than two years (such as that found in the Arctic) is known as 'permafrost'. Permafrost prevents large plants (such as trees) from growing, and also hinders drainage. Shallow lakes and bogs that form in the warmer months are a feature of tundra.

Arctic Climate

There isn't a lot of precipitation (snow, rain, hail, etc.) in the Arctic: the cold air doesn't hold a lot of moisture. What little there is falls as snow. Less snow falls in the Arctic than rain in the Sahara Desert.

The average temperature on the Arctic tundra is between 10 and 20 ° F (-12 to -6° C).

Temperatures in the Arctic only rise above freezing for between two and four months of the year. The warmest month in the Arctic is July. Even then, the average daily temperature doesn't exceed 50° F (10° C). The average temperature in the winter can be as low as −40 °C (−40 °F).

Arctic Animals

Despite the harsh environment, many species of animal live in the Arctic, either all year round, or during the summer months.

Mammals living in the Arctic tend to have thick coats, which often have an inner and an outer layer. They have a thick layer of fat, which acts both as insulation and as a food store.

One of the Arctic's most famous residents is the polar bear. It is the largest member of the bear family. It spends most of its life on the sea ice in search of seals, its favourite food. Grizzly bears are also found further inland.

Other Arctic mammals include Lemmings, Musk Ox, Wolves, Arctic Foxes, Arctic Hares, Walruses and several species of whale.

Many birds live in the Arctic Circle. These include Snowy Owls, Gyrfalcons, Tundra Swans, Snow Buntings, Little Auks, Guillemots, Terns, Ptarmigans and Puffins.

Insects that live in the Arctic include species of bumblebees, beetles, flies, mosquitos, butterflies and moths.

Arctic Plants

Dwarf shrubs, sedges, grasses, mosses, and lichens make up most of the region's plant life. The small, hardy plants grow in clumps and can form a thick layer on the tundra.

Arctic plants grow in these low 'cushions' to protect themselves from the wind, conserve moisture, prevent themselves being crushed by the snow, and to stay close to the ground where it is comparatively warmer. Arctic flowers are specially adapted to make the most of the short summer season.

Arctic plants are an important source of food for the region's wildlife. Reindeer moss (which is in fact a lichen) is, as its name suggests, an important food for reindeer.

Arctic Willow grows further north than any other woody shrub. It doesn't grow much higher than 15 cm on the cold tundra, and forms an important part of the diets of many Arctic animals.

Amazing Arctic Facts For Kids

Below are some of the most interesting facts about the Arctic:

The Artic is usually defined as being 'the region north of the Arctic Circle'.

The Arctic Circle is approximately 66.5° north of the Equator (you'll find out what this figure means further down the page).

The Arctic Circle doesn't have a fixed position, and is currently moving northwards at around 15 m (49 ft.) each year!

In the Arctic, there are periods of at least 24 hours during which the sun doesn't set. This is known as 'Midnight Sun'.

In the winter, there are also periods of at least 24 hours during which the sun doesn't rise. This is known as 'Polar Night'.

These periods of daylight (in the summer) and darkness (in the winter) get longer as you approach the North Pole. At the North Pole itself, the sun sets once a year, and rises once a year!

The North Pole is in the Arctic Ocean, unlike the South Pole, which is on land. However, the sea around the North Pole is permanently frozen and covered in snow, which makes it look like land.

The Arctic Ocean is almost completely surrounded by land.

Countries with land inside the Arctic Circle are: United States (the state of ), Canada, Finland, (which is strictly part of the Danish Realm), Iceland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden.

By international law, the North Pole, and the region of Arctic Ocean surrounding it, do not belong to any country.

Much of the land in the Arctic Circle is tundra: a harsh, treeless environment with permanently frozen soil.

Many of the animals and plants that live in the Arctic have special adaptations to allow them to survive in the harsh environment.

Animals that live in the Arctic include: Polar Bears , Arctic Foxes , Musk Oxen, Arctic Terns, Gyrfalcons and Puffins. You can find out about the animals and plants of the Arctic further down the page. There's also more information about the region's animals here: Arctic Animals List .

The Arctic gets its name from a Greek word meaning 'near the bear'. It refers to either the Ursa Major (Great Bear) or Ursa Minor (Little Bear) constellations, both of which are prominent in the Arctic.

The thick sea ice that covers much of the Arctic Ocean is shrinking. Scientists predict that the summer ice may disappear completely by as soon as 2040. This may have serious consequences not just for the region's wildlife, but also for the entire world.

The Arctic Facts For Kids: Conclusion

We hope that you have enjoyed this page of Arctic facts. There is plenty more information about the Arctic on the site. Why not start by looking learning more about Arctic Animals?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Arctic Facts For Kids: Information, Pictures & Video

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Arctic facts for kids: in-depth information on the Arctic Circle, with pictures & video. Learn about Arctic tundra, animals, plants, climate & seasons.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
A Walk in the Arctic for Kids | Educational Video for Early Learners

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Plants of the Arctic and Antarctic - Polar Plants - Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Approximately 1,700 species of plants live on the Arctic tundra, including flowering plants, dwarf shrubs, herbs, grasses, mosses, and lichens. The tundra is characterized by permafrost, a layer of soil and partially decomposed organic matter that is frozen year-round. Only a thin layer of soil, called the active layer, thaws and refreezes each year.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Only the toughest adventurers survive in the Arctic, and that's also true for plant life! The Arctic tundra is known as the coldest biome on the planet and a difficult place to thrive for plant and animal life. Bitter cold winters, short summers, strong winds, rain, snow and ice shape the unique landscape of the Arctic and its flora and fauna. Only perfectly adapted plant species have a chance to grow here.

How do plants thrive so far north, just below the ice caps? Find out which species can handle these extreme conditions and learn how they are perfectly adapted to their harsh environment.

The Remarkable Plants of Svalbard and Greenland

How can plants survive in such a cold place? With only about 650km (400 miles) separating it from the North Pole, Svalbard features an incredible tundra ecosystem, with a perfectly adapted flora. While there are no trees on Svalbard, tree growth in Greenland has been actively supported by the local population since the 1890s. Over the past decade, thousands of trees native to the region have been planted in Greenland, though the only natural occurring forest is located in the Qinngua Valley.

Arctic plants are masters of survival. They rely on a shallow root system to avoid permafrost damage. Small and waxy leaves preserve moisture, the fine hairs on their stems retain heat and cup-shaped flowers channel a maximum amount of sunlight during the short summer seasons. Did you know that Arctic tundra plants can even regrow when they have dried out completely? Once the snow and ice melts, the moisture can bring the plants back to life!

Ready to discover these incredibly tough plants? Join a real polar expedition cruise to Svalbard and Greenland to see them in their natural environment! Summer cruises are an extra treat - that's when the tundra is in full bloom! Explore the incredible landscapes of the high north with a professional expedition team, hike ashore and take Zodiac cruises. And for now, as a little teaser, read on to learn about our favorite Arctic plants and their unique characteristics.

Yellow Marsh Saxifrage

During the blooming season (July to August), you can see these bright yellow flowers all across Svalbard and Greenland. As a perennial herb, it regrows each season from its own roots and reaches around 5-30cm (2-12 inches) in height. Their fruit capsules produce seeds and their yellow flowers tend to blossom rather late in the season. The moist Arctic tundra ecosystems are the preferred habitat of saxifrages. While you may enjoy the beautiful bright colors of their flowers, don't expect a pleasant fragrance: yellow marsh saxifrages are known for their repulsive goat-like smell!

Purple Saxifrage

These purple flowers are common in the Arctic and mountainous zones of the Earth. At around 3-5cm (1.2-1.9 inches) in height, their woody branches grow by spreading across the ground. They are a low-growing species with small rounded leaves. Purple saxifrages are one of the first flowers to grow as soon as the snow and ice melt. With snow melting at different times in different parts of the tundra, you can see them blooming throughout the entire summer. Arctic hares and ground squirrels love to feed on purple saxifrage. And did you know that the sweet blossoms are also edible for humans? Inuit value them as a source of Vitamin C.

Arctic Poppy

Arctic poppies are perfectly adapted to survive in cold Arctic temperatures. The flowers are white and yellow, reaching up to 25cm (9.8 inches) in height. The stems are covered with small hairs, which help to retain heat. You'll usually find them growing in rock crevices. They grow throughout the northern regions, and in the United States, they can even be found in the Rocky Mountains and northern New Mexico. Arctic poppies in Svalbard are usually referred to as Svalbard poppies and are the national flower of the archipelago. And did you know that this species is the northernmost plant in the world, growing at a latitude of 83 degrees north (at the northern tip of Greenland)?

Labrador Tea Shrub

This perennial shrub is native to the Arctic and you'll find it in places like Canada, northern Norway, Greenland, Svalbard and northern Alaska. This shrub reaches a height of up to 90cm (3 feet) and can be found in swamps and wetlands. Labrador tea shrubs know how to adapt to frigid temperatures! In southern tundra zones they grow straight, maximizing exposure to the sun, while further north they grow closer to the ground to avoid harsh winds.

Mountain Sorrel

Growing in dense tufts, you'll find them in the world's tundra and mountain zones. At up to 20cm (8 inches) in height, you can easily recognize mountain sorrel by their kidney-shaped leaves, reddish stems and grouped flowers, which are first green and turn red later in the season. It's a perennial herb and widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Mountain sorrel prefers wet and rocky slopes, as well as snowfields to grow. In order to thrive in permafrost regions, this mountain sorrel uses its shallow roots to absorb nutrients and to attach itself to the soil. Need a vitamin boost? Its leaves contain a decent amount of vitamin C and are edible. You can also ferment the leaves into sauerkraut and use it during the dark Arctic winter months as a vitamin source.

Dwarf Birch

This shrub, which has small, toothed leaves, can be found in the Arctic areas of North America, Asia and Europe (including Svalbard). In comparison to other birch species, dwarf birches only reach a height of around 1-1.2m (ca. 40 inches). Did you know that these dwarf trees can withstand temperatures as low as -45C (-49F)? Embedded in a cover of snow, they conserve heat and shelter against severe temperature lows.

Arctic Willow

At around 15cm (6 inches) in height, this shrub can be found in the world's tundra zones and the northern US west coast. It features oval-shaped leaves with small spots on them and blooms dark brown to pink during the spring. These plants are a very important food source for musk oxen, Arctic hares and reindeer. In Inuit culture, Arctic willow is used as natural medicine against toothache, bleeding and diarrhea. It also contains a high amount of vitamin C and has a very sweet taste.

Moss Campion

This small mountain-dwelling wildflower is common in the tundra areas around the globe. The plant forms dense carpet-like structures in bright green, with small, pink flowers. Moss campions are usually only around 15cm (2-6 inches) in height, but form cushions that can range from a few cm up to 30cm (1 foot) in diameter. This cushion forms its own microclimate to keep the plant warm and protected from very low temperatures.

Bearberrys

Bearberry lives and thrives in the Arctic and subarctic zones and belongs to the dwarf shrubs. Bearberries prefer gravel and sandy soil in the boreal forest area. Above the tree line, this plant becomes less common. The shrub grows to around 10-30cm (3.9-11.8 inches) in height. Its purple to black berries are edible, though quite dry and flavorless.

Arctic Cottongrass

You can find this species of cottongrass throughout the tundra, subarctic and temperate northern regions. It's one of the tallest species at around 30cm (12 inches) in height. The seeds are covered in a white, fluffy cotton-like tuft and are dispersed by the wind. Inuit are known to have used the fluffy flower heads for mattress stuffing, candles, pillows, paper and even medical treatments against tapeworm and diarrhea.

Sulphur Butter-cup

This yellow flowering plant and perennial herb is native to the subarctic regions and prefers wet meadows and snow patches. At around 3-20cm (1.2-7.8 inches) in height. Stems are brownish and hairy.

Arctic Bell-heather

At around 10-20cm (3.9-7.9 inches) in height, this branched dwarf shrub features grooved leaves and white, bell-shaped flower heads. It prefers stony grounds. You can find these flowers widely spread across northern Norway and in the high tundra zone. In northern territories it was commonly used for making fires, as it burns even when green, frozen or wet (as it contains high amounts of resin).

Interesting Facts About Tundra Plants

How do you deal with extremely cold temperatures and a short growing season? No problem for Arctic plant life. Read on and find out how they manage to thrive in the tundra, despite the cold climate and long winters. Our top five facts about polar vegetation:

They grow low.

Tundra plants grow in close proximity to each other and close to the ground. This protects them from harsh winds, ice and snowstorms.

They grow fast.

When the summer season is short, you gotta speed up your growth! These Arctic species develop much faster than other ones on the planet. Summers are short but magical, when the tundra is in full bloom!

Snow isn't a problem.

Many tundra plants (such as the Arctic evergreen) can start their photosynthesis activity already under the springtime snow cover. Snow actually protects them against extreme cold temperatures. Early thaws are dangerous to many species, as they can get severely frost-damaged when another cold spell hits later.

Some like it on the rocks.

Organisms like lichens do not need soil to thrive. A bare rock is enough for them!

Adaptation is key.

Plant communities use the snow and ice cover as insulation to conserve heat. They also have smaller leaves to retain moisture (a larger leaf surface means higher water loss) and are able to perfectly use the short summers with 24-hour daylight to quickly grow flowers. The short growing season generally favors plant species that reproduce asexually as during the short summers it may be difficult to attract pollinators.

Adapting to Climate Change

How does climate change affect plant life? While declining sea ice is a great concern for marine wildlife, tundra plants seem to adapt better to warmer climates. Spreading their seeds through wind, birds and even floating ice, they are able to migrate to different climates that suit them better.

Another result of warming temperatures is the influx of taller plant species, which in turn promotes local species to grow taller.

FAQ

What are the most common plants in the tundra?

Tundra vegetation needs to withstand the harsh environment of the north. For the most part, the tundra is a treeless zone featuring low shrubs, lichens and mosses. Arctic plants are adapted to this challenging environment and compensate for the lack of sun (short summers), extreme cold, permafrost and long winters. Commonly you can find various mosses, Labrador tea, Svalbard poppy, caribou moss and cotton grass.

What is an Arctic flower?

You may not expect a lot of flowering plants in the high north, but summers in the tundra of Svalbard are simply amazing! While the blooming season is short, you'll enjoy an array of colors, with wildlife grazing amid the beautiful scenery. Among the flowering plant species you can find the snow buttercup (a small, yellow flower), Arctic poppy (with small, pale yellow flower heads), Arctic bell heather, mountain avens, moss campion, purple saxifrage and yellow marsh saxifrage (which has star shaped flowers).

How many types of plants are in the Arctic tundra?

The Arctic tundra biome consists of around 1,700 species. Among them, you can find dwarf shrubs, mosses, grasses, vascular plants (such as ferns) and many fungi, as well as many flowering plants. In comparison, only two species are found on the Antarctic continent (around the Antarctic Peninsula): Antarctic hair grass and Antarctic pearlwort.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Arctic Plants - What Plants Grow in Tundra? | Poseidon Expeditions

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Did you know that Arctic tundra plants can even regrow when they have dried out completely? Once the snow and ice melts, the moisture can bring the plants back to life!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
the hardy and amazing flora of the arctic tundra

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Hardy and Amazing Flora of the Arctic Tundra

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The surprising reality to those that travel there is that the white drifts and landscape of the Arctic are actually quite beautiful. The flora that grows in the Arctic also helps to make it a picturesque kind of place. The problem is that not enough people know about the flora or understand how anything could actually grow in the Arctic.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
10 Arctic Animals for Kids – Snow Animals for Kids – Polar Animals

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What Animals Live in the Arctic? | Where is the Arctic for Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Do you love animals? How about arctic animals? Animals in the arctic are some of the most beautiful and fascinating creatures on Earth! From polar bears, to arctic foxes, to snowy owls, arctic hares, and the seal we will cover arctic animals facts for kids about each of these animals.

Do you have a favorite arctic animal? Maybe you love the polar bear because they are super cute as cubs. Or maybe you love how their white fur makes them stunning. Or the beauty of their size and stature. Whatever you love about the polar bears, you are sure to love them even more after reading this article!

Adaptations of Artic Animals

And you will love learning about the adaptations of the arctic foxes and the arctic hares. Both animals have thick fur coats to keep them warm and smaller ears to limit the opening to the cold and windy weather. Or how about the fact that arctic foxes can smell over a mile away! Can you smell that far?

Don't forget about the snowy owls, who are some of the most beautiful creatures in my opinion. They have thousands of white and brown feathers to keep them warm and not to mention, absolutely stunning! They have long wingspans and can fly at speeds of up to 46 miles per hour!

And finally, we will talk about one of my favorite arctic animals, the arctic seals! Seals are super cute as pups and even when they grow into adults, they keep their big, beautiful eyes! Seals swim under the sea ice for hours at a time hunting for food or just playing around. Have you ever seen a seal play in the water? Don't stand too close or you might get wet.

Now that you've learned a little bit about each of these incredible arctic creatures, I'm sure you can't wait to learn even more. Get ready, get set, go!

Arctic Animals Facts for Kids - Polar Bears Have Super Thick Fur

Polar bears have very thick fur to help protect them from the harsh environment of the arctic lands.

Some of the larger predators in the arctic include the polar bears. Polar bears are the largest bear species mainly eating seals, arctic foxes, and other marine and land mammals.

The majority of the population of polar bears live in the arctic circle. There are only about 26,000 polar bears in the entire world. Their population is being affected by global warming and climate change.

A baby polar bear is called a cub. At birth, the little bear has very fine white fur which actually makes the animal appear black. Any idea why? Because underneath all that white fur, the polar bear is actually jet black.

Arctic Animals Facts for Kids - Arctic Fox Facts

Arctic foxes have a thick coat of warm fur to help them survive in the cold arctic tundra. Their fur can be white, brown, or gray and their fur changes depending on the time of the year. How cool is that? Not to mention their extremely fluffy tails that make them some of the cutest creatures.

An arctic fox can smell a seal from a mile away! That's a really good sense of smell!

Snowy Owls - Arctic Animals Facts for Kids

Snowy owls are one of the heaviest owl species on the planet! That's because they have thousands of feathers to keep them warm in the cold temperatures of the arctic. Snowy owls even have feathers on their feet making it look like they are wearing slippers!

The wingspan of an adult snowy owl can range between four and five feet wide. Their wingspan is probably taller than you!

Snowy owls can travel at speeds up to 46 miles per hour! Can you imagine how many miles they can fly in a day?

Arctic Animals Facts for Kids - Arctic Hares

The arctic hare is the only rabbit in the world that lives in the arctic.

Arctic hares have adapted to the cold arctic environment with small ears, thick fur, and bushy tails. This all helps to keep the animal warm. In the extreme cold, arctic hares may also burrow underneath a blanket of snow.

From the front, arctic hares appear to have very short legs. Their hind legs or back legs are much longer to help them jump higher and with more power. An arctic hare can jump over two meters high, which means they could jump over you!

Arctic Animals Facts for Kids - Seal Facts

Seals live in arctic waters, such as the Arctic Ocean. Some seals stay in the water for up to eight months without ever touching land! That's a really long time to be underwater!

Seals can swim up to 35 kilometers per hour or 21 miles per hour. They swim much faster when they are hunting for food. Did you know that?

Baby seals are known as seal pups and are often born with a layer of white fur.

More About the Arctic

The Arctic is one of the coldest places on Earth. It's crazy that all these amazing creatures live there! One of the most interesting things to me is that all these animals have developed adaptations to help them survive the cold and windy conditions. Almost all the animals in the arctic have thick fur or feathers to keep them warm. Arctic foxes and arctic hares have smaller ear openings to prevent snow and wind from entering.

There are so many different ways these arctic animals have adapted to living in the arctic. What would you do to adapt to living in these cold temperatures? Would you ever visit the arctic? You'll definitely be cold, but it will be worth it to see all these incredible creatures out in the wild.

WANT MORE FUN FACTS FOR KIDS?

Check 100 fun facts for kids here and browse all the other topics at the bottom of the post.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Arctic Animals Facts for Kids - Growing Play

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Read about Arctic animals facts for kids. Learn all about arctic animals from the arctic hare, to the arctic fox, to seals, and polar bears.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Arctic regions are centered on the North Pole. They include the northern parts of Canada, the United States, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Greenland. The...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Exploring the Arctic for Kids: Arctic Animals and Climates for Children - FreeSchool

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Polar Habitats for Kids| Facts and Quiz | Arctic and Antarctica

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
It's cold at the poles. In the Arctic, the average winter temperature is about around minus 22°F. At the South Pole, it is even colder. The lowest temperature ever recorded-minus 129°F-was in Antarctica.

Even though it's chilly in polar regions, they do have seasons-well, two seasons: summer and winter. In the summer, the sun shines 24 hours a day, but it never gets high enough above the horizon to warm things up, so even summers are pretty cold. It's dark all winter at the poles, because the sun doesn't rise during those months of the year. Fierce continuous winds make it feel even colder.

You'll see plenty of snow at the poles, but little rain. Antarctica and parts of the Arctic are actually considered deserts because of the lack of rainfall.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Really cold, or really, really cold?

Both the Arctic (North Pole) and the Antarctic (South Pole) are cold because they don't get any direct sunlight. The Sun is always low on the horizon, even in the middle of summer. In winter, the Sun is so far below the horizon that it doesn't come up at all for months at a time. So the days are just like the nights-cold and dark.

Even though the North Pole and South Pole are "polar opposites," they both get the same amount of sunlight. But the South Pole is a lot colder than the North Pole. Why? Well, the Poles are polar opposites in other ways too.

The Arctic is ocean surrounded by land. The Antarctic is land surrounded by ocean.

The ocean under the Arctic ice is cold, but still warmer than the ice! So the ocean warms the air a bit.

Antarctica is dry-and high. Under the ice and snow is land, not ocean. And it's got mountains. The average elevation of Antarctica is about 7,500 feet (2.3 km). And the higher you go, the colder it gets.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Both the Arctic (North Pole) and the Antarctic (South Pole) are cold because they don't get any direct sunlight. The Sun is always low on the horizon, even in the middle of summer. In winter, the Sun is so far below the horizon that it doesn't come up at all for months at a time.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Arctic regions are centered on the North Pole. They include the northern parts of Canada, the United States, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Greenland. The...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
A vital zone between North America's and Russia's northernmost frontiers consists of the Arctic regions. Once only explorers, traders, and Inuit hunters were interested in the vast, icy area at the "top" of the world. Today, because of its strategic location and its value to scientists, the Arctic is the scene of much activity. Year-round scientific research stations are maintained to study weather, climate, and mineral resources of the Arctic. In addition, the Arctic is studded with air bases, constant reminders that the shortest air routes between the United States and Russia are over the area. Only a narrow channel separates Little Diomede Island, of the United States, from Big Diomede Island (Ostrov Ratmanova), which is Russian territory. With the technological advances in icebreaker ships and nuclear-powered submarines, the distances between the two countries seem even shorter.

The Arctic is sometimes defined as the area that lies within the Arctic Circle. The Arctic Circle is a parallel of latitude (66° 30′ N. latitude), 1,650 miles (2,660 kilometers) from the North Pole, the northern end of the Earth's axis. Actually, the Arctic Circle does not enclose all the Arctic regions. The true Arctic is the area in which the mean temperature for the warmest month is less than 50°  F (10° C). The coldest region, the "polar segment," is where the mean temperature of the warmest month is below freezing.

The subarctic region is the area that has a mean temperature above 50°  F for more than three but less than four months a year. The boundary of the Arctic is sometimes said to be the line beyond which no trees grow. This is based on the theory that tree life cannot exist unless there is at least one month a year with a temperature of 50°  F.

The greater part of the 8,000,000 square miles (21,000,000 square kilometers) within the Arctic Circle is occupied by the Arctic Ocean (5,440,000 square miles, or 14,090,000 square kilometers). Around the pole, the ocean is about 13,800 feet deep (4,200 meters). Islands dot the southern two thirds of the ocean. Below these comes a rim of land provided by the northern continents.

The most important islands north of America are Baffin, Victoria, and Ellesmere, belonging to Canada. Svalbard, a Norwegian group, and Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya, belonging to Russia, are the largest islands north of Europe.

North of Asia, near Siberia, lie Severnaya Zemlya and the New Siberian Islands. Other islands in the Arctic regions are Wrangel, Prince Patrick, Devon, and Banks, as well as the Parry Islands. Alaska and northern Canada form the Arctic lands of North America. Farther east is the world's largest island, Greenland. It is part of the Danish kingdom. At Dundas, Greenland, the United States has a large air base.

In Northern Europe the Laplands of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and western Russia jut into the Arctic. Eastward stretches the Russian territory of Siberia.

The most extreme winter cold and summer heat in the Arctic are not at the pole because the Arctic Ocean prevents extremes. The water absorbs heat during the summer and gives it out in the winter.

Greater extremes occur near the Arctic Circle because the land there is less effective than water in storing heat. Alaska has had a winter temperature of -80° F (- 62° C). In summer the temperature has reached 100° F (38° C). The coldest weather in the Arctic regions occurs near Verkhoyansk in Siberia. The January temperature there can reach -90° F (-68° C). The Arctic is warmer than Antarctica.

Within the Arctic Circle winter cold is bearable because there is little wind. Blizzards and gales occur only when the air is flowing strongly outward across the Arctic Circle or where a break in the land level disturbs the circulation. The winter air is dry. Most of the moisture in the region is frozen.

The Arctic climate is determined by the amount of heat and light received from the sun. The slant of the Earth in relation to the sun prevents the sun's rays from reaching the Arctic regions for part of each year. The North Pole has no direct sunlight for six months. In summer the Arctic has long hours of sunlight. The sun's rays strike at a great slant, however, and do not give as much heat as they do farther south.

More than half the Arctic Ocean is covered with a layer of ice all the time. Much of it stays in place as a jumbled mass called pack ice. However, in recent years some scientists have stressed that there has been a drastic thinning and reduction in the Arctic's pack ice. They cite global warming as a major factor.

There are many living things in the Arctic wilderness. Although not as numerous as in other oceans, countless microscopic plants called diatoms live in the polar sea. They furnish food for shrimps and other crustaceans. These, in turn, are eaten by fishes. Both the crustaceans and the fishes are eaten by seals, walruses, and the few whales that still live in the sea.

Much of the land in the Arctic is covered with a treeless grassy carpet called tundra. In summer flowers and grasses spring up in some places. Caribou, reindeer, and musk oxen eat the tundra. In winter they paw away the snow to get moss and lichens. Polar bears and wolves prey on these larger animals and the sea animals. Smaller meat eaters live mainly on sea life.

During the long cold season fox, ermine, muskrat, beaver, marten, mink, and other animals grow thick, rich furs. In the lengthy days of summer many species of migrating land birds, such as the redpoll, snowbird, pipit, and rock ptarmigan, fatten on the swarming insects. Seabirds eat the abundant fish. The snowy owl and the raven often winter here.

The Arctic plains have only a sparse and scattered native population. Traditionally the Inuit who dwelled in Arctic America and Greenland depended upon hunting and fishing. Their permanent homes were made of sod, stones, and driftwood, and they used igloos or tents of animal skins for temporary shelter. In the 20th century, however, the Inuit became increasingly influenced by societies to the south. Modern manufactured goods such as snowmobiles, rifles, and store-bought clothing have entered the culture. Many Inuit have abandoned their nomadic hunting pursuits to move into towns or to work in mines and oil fields. Others, particularly in Canada, have formed cooperatives to market their handicrafts, fish catches, and ventures in tourism. ( See also American Arctic peoples.)

Until the 21st century the Sami (Lapps) of Northern Europe roamed about the tundra with their grazing herds of reindeer. These animals supplied milk, meat, and skins for clothing and tents. Today only herders generally travel with their reindeer while their families stay behind in modern housing. Reindeer-herding tribes also live in Siberia. Other Mongoloid people of the Asian Arctic hunt and fish in summer and trap fur-bearing animals in winter.

Growing appreciation of the region's importance has stimulated experiments in Arctic living. The Soviets began setting up weather stations on Arctic islands in the 1930s. In 1944 scientists from the United States and Canada founded the Arctic Institute of North America for polar research. World War II brought weather stations to Arctic America and Greenland. In 1958 the submarine Nautilus, sailing beneath the icecap, made the first undersea crossing of the North Pole ( see polar exploration).

After World War II the Cold War, the rivalry that developed between the United States and the Soviet Union, was in full force. The United States feared an attack by the Soviet Union through the Arctic region. In response, the United States, together with Canada, built the Distant Early Warning (DEW) line in the 1950s. This series of radar outposts would signal the alarm should enemy planes attack via the polar route. Stations of the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS) were added in the early 1960s in Greenland and Alaska. Roughly along the United States-Canada border is the Pinetree System. In the late 1980s and early 1990s portions of the DEW and Pinetree outposts were upgraded into the North Warning System. The current warning systems are connected with the combined North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) headquarters at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado.

Along the western flank of the United States Arctic defenses is a web of air, land, and sea bases. The bases are kept constantly in touch by a communications system called White Alice, which was replaced by satellite communications in the late 1970s.

In much of the Arctic, earth, ice, and rock are frozen solid permanently. The solid mass is called permafrost. It is covered with a layer of ice and snow which melts in summer. In winter the Earth's crust in the Arctic is a solid frozen mass as deep as 1,000 feet (300 meters) in some places. Climate warming in recent years, however, has caused part of the upper permafrost layer to melt. The result in summer is a deep layer of swampy land, which can cause buildings to sink. In addition, stored carbon gases may be released from the once-frozen soil, contributing to global warming.

During the International Geophysical Year (IGY), from July 1957 to December 1958, scientists studied weather and ice in the Arctic. Teams stationed on floes, or ice islands, found that their chief problem was summer thawing. Giant cracks appeared in one island, and the men and equipment had to be airlifted to another island.

Four such drifting ice stations (two Soviet, two American) were set up in the Arctic during the IGY. Driven by wind and current, they traveled as far as 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers). Soundings made daily from one of the American stations revealed the existence of an unsuspected submerged mountain ridge. Another floe team collected samples of sediment and measured ocean depths, the Earth's magnetic field, temperatures, and ice movements. Studies made on McCall Glacier indicate that glaciers swell rather than shrink as the weather becomes warmer.

The United States Navy's nuclear-powered submarines Sargo and Sea Dragon reached the North Pole in 1960. An ice island 12 feet (4 meters) high was found about 150 miles (240 kilometers) north of Point Barrow, Alaska, in May 1961. This floe became the United States Navy's Arctic Research Laboratory Ice Station II (ARLIS II). Weather and oceanographic studies were conducted there.

The United States Army Corps of Engineers has studied the properties of ice and problems of construction and living in the Arctic in two subsurface camps on the Greenland ice cap. At Camp Century, 138 miles (222 kilometers) from Thule Air Base on the western coast, engineers built tunnels and insulated buildings beneath the snow for their activities. At Camp Tuto tunnels were constructed through solid ice. Both camps have since been closed, though long- and short-term scientific studies are still carried out in the region.

In addition to an extensive scientific research program, Canada has encouraged a widespread search for significant mineral deposits in its Far North. It holds 28 percent of the Earth's Arctic land surface. Only Russia has more-40 percent. In the late 1960s huge reserves of natural gas were found on Melville and other Canadian Arctic islands, and in 1970 oil was discovered near the mouth of the Mackenzie River. Oil and gas were found in the shallow waters of the Beaufort Sea. Extensive reserves of oil were discovered at Prudhoe Bay on Alaska's North Slope in 1968. Plans to build a pipeline to retrieve natural gas from the Mackenzie River area in the Arctic are ongoing.

The Arctic lands of Russia are known to contain rich reserves of minerals, including cobalt, nickel, coal, and iron. The gold and diamond mines of eastern Siberia place Russia high among world producers of these minerals. Natural gas and oil have been found in several places. The first nuclear power station in the Arctic was opened by the Soviet Union on the Kola Peninsula in 1974. In 1977 the Soviet nuclear icebreaker Arktika became the first ship to break its way through to the North Pole. Recent focus has been centered on discovering ways to clean up the Arctic, which was contaminated by Soviet nuclear and chemical testing before the end of the Cold War.

The discovery phase of Arctic exploration is over; there is no longer any possibility of finding new lands. Photo surveys have provided accurate maps, and improved aircraft and base facilities are making the once formidable region increasingly accessible. The emphasis now is on studying the area's geology and ecology. The bed of the Arctic Ocean also has been the subject of increasingly intensive studies.

The purpose of the International Polar Year, taking place from March 2007 until March 2009, was to conduct further experiments in both the Arctic and Antarctic. A main goal of the initiative was to explore the effects of global warming, the results of which are magnified at the Poles.

Donald B. MacMillan

Ed.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A vital zone between North America's and Russia's northernmost frontiers consists of the Arctic regions. Once only explorers, traders, and Inuit hunters were interested in...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Unsung Heroes of the Arctic - Ep. 3 | Wildlife: The Big Freeze

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We are watching developments in 4 areas that could imperil Arctic environments and ways of life. Read more about Arctic vulnerabilities here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Most polar bears could disappear by the end of the century, scientists say. Global warming is to blame. According to a study published this month in Nature Climate Change, most polar bear populations will be in serious decline by 2080.…

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Polar Bears and How to Save Them | Mission Animal Rescue

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Save the Arctic by Bethany Stahl | Children's Animated Audiobook | A Story About Green Energy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Arctic Animals Written by Jill McDonald ( Read Aloud for Children ) Storytime by Ilona

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
In Arctic Waters | Read Aloud Children's Book | Storytime

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Do Animals Survive in the Arctic? 🐻‍❄️ - Animals for Kids - Educational Video