10 Animals That Thrive In Cold Weather

7. Walrus

Walruses typically live at the North Pole in the shallow waters of the Arctic seas. They have large, blubbery bodies to keep warm in the freezing waters, where temperatures drop below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Walruses live above continental shelves, and feed on shrimp, mollusks, and soft coral. They use their long tusks to make holes in the ice, as well as to help them climb up onto the ice.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

6. Caribou

Did you know Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was a caribou, as were Santa’s other reindeer? Caribous live in the Arctic, subarctic, and mountainous regions of North America, Europe, and Siberia. Both males and females have large antlers. Their large, hollowed hooves grip to the ground, which helps them travel over the ice and dig through the snow. They also have two furry coats: one is a thick undercoat, and the other is a coat of long, hollow hairs.

Photo: Flickr/peupleloup

5. Arctic Ground Squirrels

Arctic ground squirrels prepare for the cold by working on lining their burrows before the Arctic winter sets in. They use animal hair, lichens, leaves, and the ground to provide insulation for their long winter’s nap. While other animals gather together to stay warm in the cold, Arctic ground squirrels bed down for about seven months at a time. As the squirrel sleeps, its body temperature drops to just above freezing, and its heart rate slows down until the body sinks into almost a vegetative state.

Photo: Flickr/National Park Service, Alaska Region

4. Gentoo Penguin

Gentoo penguins live on coastal plains and cliffs where their colonies can number in the thousands. They avoid the ice, but they are most at home in the water. These penguins can dive up to 650 feet deep at speeds up to 22 miles per hour, and stay submerged for up to seven minutes. Natural predators in the water include leopard seals, sea lions, and orcas that hang out in the waters close to the gentoo penguin colonies. On land, adult gentoos have to worry about humans, who hunt them for their oil and skin.

Gentoo1_1000x523
Photo: Flickr/ravas51

Click ‘next’ to read on and check out more amazing animals the flourish in the cold!

Protect the Planet

Help preserve vital habitat at The Rainforest Site for free!

Whizzco