Antarctica is a place of immense biodiversity. Sadly, many of its species are vulnerable to extinction. Let’s help.
This NATIONAL THREATENED SPECIES DAY we are shedding light on the incredible, albeit at risk, species of Antarctica.
At first glance, Antarctica is a seemingly inhospitable expanse. It is a land of extremes — deemed the coldest, driest, highest and windiest place on Earth. Its continental ice sheet houses 90% of the world’s ice and 80% of its freshwater. Compared to the rest of the world, and because of its hostility and isolation, Antarctica has less terrestrial biodiversity. However, it is rich in marine life — from sing-song humpbacks to cunning leopard seals, wandering albatrosses who may go a year without touching land, and otherworldly creatures, like the icefish, whose glycoproteins work as a kind of antifreeze.
One of the most iconic and vulnerable Antarctic species is the emperor penguin. As the world’s largest penguin, emperor penguins are flightless birds remarkably adept at surviving the Antarctic extremes. Skilled swimmers, emperor penguins can dive deeper than any bird, hold their breath for 20 minutes, and stay out at sea for weeks. They are social birds, living in colonies, and pairs typically mate for life. Today, they are the most vulnerable Antarctic species, with climate change threatening more than 80% of their population.
Despite being one of the most isolated places on Earth, climate change puts Antarctica and its species under threat. By the end of this century, 65% of Antarctica’s native species could disappear because of fossil fuel emissions.
Don’t wait to save, help protect the endangered species of Antarctica today — donate now.
