The Wonderful world of Antarctica!
Have you ever thought that outside it was so cold? Well compared to Antarctica, it’s seems like summer! Antarctica is the coldest place in the world. If it was ever snowy and icy outside your house, it was probably only there for few days or a week. Well in Antarctica, it is snowy and icy all year round! So come on a journey through this amazing continent. You won’t regret it!
Climate
In Antarctica the Sun is not always facing the Southern Hemisphere. When the Sun is not facing the Southern Hemisphere it gets very dark day and night for six months! But when the Sun is facing the Southern Hemisphere the Sun shines for six months day and night. So for half a year, the Sun is shining day and night, and for the other half, it is dark day and night. Did you know that the temperature can drop as low as -128 fahrenheit? That is why not many living things live in Antarctica.
Geography
Around 200 years ago, hunters discovered Antarctica. Other explorers wanted to be the first to reach the South Pole. The hunters took picture of Antarctica and of one another. It was so cold they had to use sled dogs and sleds to get over snow and ice quickly. So that means that people have known about Antarctica for 200 years! But Antarctica is almost untouched by humans because it is so cold.
Plants
Antarctica is very dark for half the year. Because it’s so dark Antarctica gets very few rain. So not many plants grow on Antarctica. There are no trees. There is grass in the summer in little parts of Antarctica. But the plants that are there all year round are, lichens, mosses, and algae. These plants do not need rain to survive. Trees and grass do need rain to survive. That is why they do not grow on Antarctica.
Animals
Antarctica is very cold, dry, and windy for most animals. That’s why there are not a lot of animals that live in Antarctica. Some sea birds like penguins live in Antarctica. Penguins spend part of their time on land, and the other time in the water. In the water there is a animal called krill. Krill is very small. Some animals eat krill. Seals live in the water. They eat krill. Also, whales live in the water, and eat krill. So many animals eat krill. That means krill better watch out for Predators!