10 Animals That Thrive In Cold Weather

3. Polar Bear

Polar bears are designed to withstand the harsh, icy conditions of their habitat. Their thick, white fur helps polar bears blend into their surroundings, trapping a layer of air to insulate and keep them warm. Their fur is also oily, which protects them from the icy waters. Polar bears have a layer of blubber under their skin that also helps provide insulation from the frigid temperatures.

2. Snowy Owl

The beautiful snowy owl’s plumage adapts to its environment: it is whiter during the snowy season and turns more brown as the snow melts. These owls follow lemmings, their prey, across the Arctic. Snowy owls hunt by day and by night, which is unlike the hunting patterns of most owls.

1. Beluga Whale

Beluga whales, also known as white whales, live in the Arctic and subarctic seas. Their generous helping of blubber helps them survive in freezing waters, and their color helps them blend in with the icy habitat. The large bulb on their heads, called a melon, is an echolocation organ that helps them hunt and navigate the waters below the far-reaching sheets of ice.

Each of these animals adapt to the cold in ways that seem different, yet many of them survive with a few similar traits and characteristics. They use body fat and trapped air for insulation, while oil protects them from water and helps them maintain their body temperature. Not all animals sleep through the cold; they find ways to endure the sharp winds and frigid waters of their environment.

While these animals impress by enduring the extreme cold, there are others that amaze by surviving in scorching hot weather. Click the link below to learn about 9 animals that love the heat, and the amazing ways in which they get by in sweltering conditions!

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