This article is all about the animals that live in ice deserts and cold deserts!
The Arctic and the Antarctic are very barren and cold landscapes that offer very little for animals and plants to survive. The vegetation and climatic zones that can be found here are called ice desert, polar desert and cold desert. Which animals can survive in these areas and how have they adapted to their habitat?
Polar Bear - Foto: Ruzdi/stock.adobe.com
Ice Desert and Polar Deserts Fact Sheet
Ecozone: Polar zone
Ice sheet locations: Antarctica, Greenland
Polar desert locations: Arctic, Antarctica, high in the mountains
Ice sheet size: 10.8% of land surface
Polar desert size: 2% of land surface
Average temperature: -22 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit (-30 to under 0 degrees Celsius)
Average precipitation: Less than 100-200 mm per year
Precipitation: Very low
Humidity: Very low
Characteristics: Very cold, little species diversity, no trees, hardly any plants
What Animals Live in Ice and Cold Deserts?
No animal can survive in the extreme cold of the Antarctic ice desert. However, many fish, whales, walruses, seals (harp seals, Weddell seals, leopard seals) and seabirds live in the Arctic Ocean.
The cold deserts begin at the edge of the ice desert. There you can meet polar bears, penguins, Arctic foxes, Arctic wolves, lemmings, reindeer, stoats, Arctic hares, snowy owls, puffins and Arctic terns.
Arctic Fox - Foto: STUEDAL/stock.adobe.com
Adaptation to the Habitat
Animals in the Arctic and Antarctic have adapted perfectly to their habitat. They have particularly dense fur, feathers or a thick layer of fat. This helps them store as much heat as possible. For example, the arctic fox has the warmest fur of all mammals. Penguins have a thick layer of fat and huddle together to keep each other warm. Lemmings dig tunnels underground and snowy owls even have feathers on their feet.
Characteristics of Ice Deserts
Land covered by ice or glaciers is called an ice desert, ice sheet or Arctic desert. These are only found in the southern hemisphere, in Antarctica (approx. 83%) and in Greenland in the northern hemisphere (approx. 16%). No plants grow here.
Characteristics of Cold Deserts
Cold deserts are very cold, barren landscapes in the Arctic and Antarctic. They are free from ice but the ground has hardly any soil - instead, it is mostly stone weathered by the cold. Lichens, algae, mosses and grasses are among the few plants that can grow in polar deserts. There aren’t many animal species here either. Cold deserts are also found high up in the mountains, e.g. the Andes and the Himalayas. These are called “Alpine deserts”.
Importance for the Ecosystem
Why do we need ice deserts? Climate change - global warming - is causing ice deserts to melt, increasing the sea level. Floods are becoming more and more common. People that live near the coast are losing their homes, and farming fields are being destroyed. Saltwater mixes with groundwater - our drinking water - so it’s no longer drinkable.
Mountain Hare - Foto: STUEDAL/stock.adobe.com
Fun Facts
The Largest Desert on Earth
The largest desert on earth is not the Sahara. It's Antarctica. The second largest is the Arctic. The term desert refers to areas that are so dry that only few plants can grow there. Or even none at all. This applies both to hot and cold landscapes. Thus, the Sahara is the largest hottest desert, but "only" the third largest desert in the world.
Largest Mass of Ice
The Antarctic ice desert is the largest ice mass on Earth. It measures 14 million square meters, making up 90% of all freshwater on the Earth.
Lowest Temperature
The lowest recorded temperature at the Russian “Vostock” research station in Princess Elizabeth Land (Antarctica) was-128,56 degrees Fahrenheit (-89.2 degrees Celsius).
It should come as a surprise to no one that dogs are the number one most beloved animal. They’re not just popular — historically, the symbiotic relationship between dogs and people helped both species survive.
The second most popular animal is the cat. Though they’re much more independent than the average dog, cats can be sensitive and loving companions overflowing with personality.
Chickens are the third favorite animal overall. They actually significantly outnumber people in the global population, and they symbolize fertility and nurturance.
We have a natural affection for animals. Animals bring out our compassion and curiosity. It’s why zoos and expeditions are so popular. It seems we can’t get enough of our favorite animals.
What follows is a list of the world’s 10 favorite and most popular animals alongside fun facts and cool information about why we love them so much.
Watch on YouTubeDogs are the most popular animals and considered man’s best friend.
#10 Monkeys
Monkeys’ behavior and intelligence bring them close to humankind.
What is it about monkeys we love so much that makes them one of our favorite animals?
Studies show the human creature is almost indistinguishable from the monkey. Over 95 percent of our DNA is identical. They shake their heads “no.” Unlike the majority of popular animals, monkeys recognize their mirror reflections. They use hand gestures and laugh when tickled. Monkeys have smoked cigarettes, drank coffee, and eaten when stressed.
As their behavior and intelligence bring them so close to humankind, monkeys are a go-to for behavioral studies of humans. They’re equipped to be service animals and have played roles in elaborate training that’s taken the animals into outer space.
It’s no wonder monkeys are extremely popular in zoos around the world. The Smithsonian National Zoo is a great place to see monkeys.
And here’s a great place to learn more about why monkeys made our list of popular animals.
#9 Lions
Lions have a sense of community and are highly social.
For thousands of years, the lion was the most popular animal in the world. Emperors and tyrants paraded them as regal accessories. Today, lions are the second largest cat in the world, close behind the tiger.
Despite what we hear to the contrary, lions are not angry and aggressive. Social animals, lions live in communities of up to 30. The males are responsible for guarding the territory and cubs. They chase off intruders, mark spots with urine, and roar to ward off perceived threats.
In the pride, females do the hunting. Smaller and more agile than males, they operate as a team to bring prey down. The lionesses form semicircles and herd toward the prey.
Once a year, television audiences go wild over programs about the shark.
Mistakenly viewed as a horrifying beast, the truth is these popular animals are responsible for a few human fatalities. Horses and cows are responsible for more human deaths per year.
There are over 500 types of sharks, and more than 140 of those are on endangered lists of favorite animals. The shark plays a major role in marine ecosystems. They eat aquatic life that balances the food chain.
Sharks are found in tropical coral reefs, the deep blue sea, and under the Arctic ice. There are unique animals like the hammerhead and the goblin, an unmissable shark with bright pink skin.
The great white is warm-blooded while most sharks are as cold-blooded as the waters they swim in. This distinction lets the great white move faster than its cousins.
Interestingly enough, sharks don’t have bones. They are a special type of fish called elasmobranchs which means fish like this are made of cartilaginous tissues. Basically, the same material that makes up human noses and ears. Although sharks do not have bones, they can still fossilize because as they age their skeletal cartilages deposit calcium and salts.
The Georgia Aquarium has a rep as a distinguished setting for sharks.
On any list of most popular animals, you’ll find the bird.
Birds are vertebrates and have adapted to flight for survival. There are species of birds that don’t fly, like the penguin and ostrich, the latter of which is the largest bird in the world. The smallest is the bee hummingbird, coming in at two inches.
The bird’s anatomy is designed for flying. The shape of the wings creates lift. Wings have feathers that narrow to a point for balance. The foundation in the engineering of airplane wings follows the design of bird wings.
Since many birds, most notably parrots, are experts in mimicry, they have charmed people with their ability to ‘speak.’ Some birds like African grey parrots, even decide on their favorite music. They’ll start to dance and sing when they hear their favorite song. A famous African grey parrot named Alex had a vocabulary of around 100 words and phrases.
Birds are undoubtedly one of the most popular creatures in the world. The best place to see these popular animals is in a bird sanctuary.
The bear is a solitary animal. They socialize only when courting or when young. There are eight species of bear and six are omnivorous. The outsiders are the panda bear who eats bamboo while the polar bear indulges in meat.
Despite a clumsy appearance, bears are fast. They’d have no problem catching up to a horse, let alone a human. The bear operates mostly through smell as they have poor vision and hearing. Bears are strong swimmers but not good climbers.
Outside of the polar and giant panda bear, bears consume a lot of ants, tree seeds, bees, nuts, berries, insect larvae, and even flowers. It’s interesting to note such large popular animals can sustain themselves on tiny foodstuffs. They also enjoy rodents, deer, fish, pigs, and seals. The Grizzly is famous for its fishing skills. And, for the record, many bears do relish honey.
Fish play a role in the world economy and culture. They’re ingrained in legend and myth.
We love fish (Neon Tetra) and fear fish (sharks). And we can’t take our eyes off of them. It doesn’t matter if it’s the shimmering seahorse, goldfish, or tuna, we’re there.
Regardless of the species, all fish share two characteristics. One, they live in water. Two, they are vertebrates. After that, the differences are phenomenal. Eels are slimy and worm-like. Salmon have gills and scales. Not all fish reproduce through eggs.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium has more than 500 types of fish on display. Find more details about these favorite animals here.
#4 Horses
Horses were domesticated more than 5,000 years ago and have been working with men ever since.
The majority of the world’s equine life is domesticated. The wild horse is pretty feral, the result of domesticated ancestors in their lineage. The Przewalski horse is truly wild. It’s an endangered species localized in Mongolia.
The horse, up and running within hours of birth, is beloved for its representation of freedom. Of all the animals we ride or use for labor, the nimble horse represents speed and agility. Its grace and beauty captivate us. The creature is soft and approachable, strong and gentle. These popular animals are deeply entrenched in our culture, our religions, and our mythologies.
Around the world, there are dozens of billions of chickens. That makes them the most populated species on earth, far outdistancing number two: humans.
Chickens were not originally bred for food but for cockfighting. That history makes the male chicken a fierce creature. The hen is a global symbol of fertility and nurturance. The rooster remains an icon of virility.
Chickens were companions of Roman armies. According to legend, chickens were fortunetellers. In 249 B.C., if chickens on a vessel refused to eat, it meant the crew was about to go into a battle they would lose.
It was the Egyptians who cultivated the chicken as a source of food. They created the artificial incubation process. The production was a secret the Egyptians kept for centuries.
Okay, so the felines are number two on our list of most popular animals. But they’re actually the most popular animals in the world when someone’s looking for a pet.
Cat lovers will tell you cats can share traits but each has its personality. Much of its behavior derives from early experiences or lack thereof. Cats can be solitary creatures but appreciate human companionship. A cat may need outdoor access. They are infamous wanderers.
These favorite animals are pretty much low maintenance. They don’t necessarily need training, walking, supervised exercise, etc. But despite what some people think, cats do need care and attention. They will fit into the busy lifestyle but that doesn’t mean they don’t need you.
Cats thrive on varying interactions. They’re just as likely to adapt to a busy household as a small, single-person home. You can learn about the personalities of cats with a little research or through conversations with a vet or breeder.
History traces the dog to small foxes who grew larger as a result of evolving climate and weather. The genetic adaptation gave them greater hunting capability. This culminated in the species “Canis.” That was a large wolfish creature that greatly resembled the animal sitting at the heel of dog lovers around the world.
The dog and humankind evolved together. They collaborated to live better together. Each species tailored its behavior for cohabitation.
Dogs kept an eye out for predators. They barked to alarm us of threats. The dog always followed ancient man, helping him get food and being satisfied with just the scraps.
Today, the dog is still man’s best friend. Unlike the cat, your dog’s fierce loyalty is seen in the way he listens, follows, obeys, protects, and more. A cat will never look at you with the affection a dog does.
Is it any wonder the canine tops our list of favorite animals?
