The Wildlife Of Antarcticas Seas And Skies - Nexta Expeditions
The Wildlife of Antarctica’s Seas and Skies

The Wildlife of Antarctica’s Seas and Skies

Antarctica is one of the most pristine environments on Earth, home to whales, penguins, seals, and birds, providing nature lovers with a treasure trove of wildlife memories to take back home.

Mid-level wildlife is the basis for larger life

Supporting the richness of Antarctica’s life is phytoplankton, which sinks to the seabed to support communities of benthic animals like sponges and sea cucumbers. Mid-trophic animals that feed off these communities in turn support larger fish, including the Antarctic silverfish. Eventually larger and larger species feed off this food chain, enabling species both underwater and in the air to thrive in the cold Antarctic waters. These species include skuas, petrels, leopard seals, Weddell seals, minke whales, and blue whales.

Distinctive-sounding south polar skuas

Visitors to the continent can see the south polar skua, a large bird that grows to be around 1.2 – 1.5 kg (2.6 – 3.3 pounds) and 53 cm (21 inches) long. They come in three types: pale with a soft honey colour and dark wings, dark chocolate-brown, and grey-brown with dark wings. South polar skuas are known for their distinctive call. Both parents share incubation, chick feeding, and defence duties. They arrive at their breeding sites between the end of October and mid-December, the Southern Hemisphere summer. During these warmer months, south polar skuas either feed on eggs and young Adélie penguins or rely on fish and krill. When not breeding, they prefer to live out at sea.

blog-image

Seafaring Antarctic petrels

The Antarctic petrel is a chocolate-brown bird with white wings and a brown-tipped tail. They are found mainly at sea and around pack ice and ice floes, as well as the coastal edges of the Antarctic continent. Every October through November, Antarctic petrels nest and lay eggs (one per female bird). Usually they choose a nesting site in snow-free areas, such as crevices and on the ledges of rocky cliffs. The incubation period lasts around 45 – 48 days, and the nesting period is around the same span of time. Their nesting colonies can become large, some having as many as 200,0000 pairs with densities that are more than one nest per square metre (0.32 square feet. Antarctic petrels usually eat krill and other small crustaceans, along with small squid and fish.

blog-image

Leopard seals, never too far from dinner

Leopard seals have slender bodies with long front flippers. They also have large canine teeth and sharp molars that are not only used to feed on penguins, fish, squid, crustaceans, and other seals, but also to strain krill from the water. Leopard seals are solitary creatures that often inhabit pack ice surrounding the continent.

While little is known of their biology, scientists do know that females breed every six years or more and give birth to a single pup on the sea ice. When it comes to carnivorous hunting, leopard seals like to be close to penguin colonies so that dinner is never too far away. Some leopard seals prefer to hunt crabeater seal pups. Their usual diet, however, consists mostly of krill.

blog-image

Newborn Weddell seals hauling out of the ice

Weddell seals are large animals, with adult males and females reaching up to three metres long (9.84 feet) and weighing around 400 – 500 kg (880 – 1,100 pounds). They have small heads relative to their bodies and are usually grey and black with white stomachs. The seals are found all around Antarctica, staying near fast ice and only making short trips into the sea to feed.

On your Antarctica cruise, you will typically see Weddell seals hauling themselves out of the sea onto fast ice to rest. The females use the fast ice to give birth, using the same place each year. They give birth to one pup per year, after which mothers tend to their pups for about six weeks.

During this time, Weddell seal mothers actively teach their pups life skills: The pups learn to swim and haul themselves out of the water at just one week old. Weddell seals usually hang around their access hole, generally staying near their breeding colonies. During the winter, when their access holes freeze up, the seals use their special canine and incisor teeth to break the new ice and create holes to breathe through.

blog-image

Minke whales poking through the ice

Whether on an Arctic or Antarctic whale watching trip, one of the larger marine animals you may spot are minke whales. These whales are black, dark brown, or grey, with a lighter-colored belly. Minke whales are seen in sub-polar areas too, and are largely spotted in open water. In summer, they often hang out in open pack ice; in the winter, minke whales prefer to swim around heavy pack ice. When the ice is thick, minke whales breathe by sticking their pointed heads up through narrow cracks in the ice. How they find these cracks, however, is a mystery.

Minke whales have hundreds of baleen plats growing from their upper jaws, with 50 – 70 pleats running from their throats to their flippers. These pleats stretch, letting minke whales take in large volumes of water when feeding. In Antarctica, minke whales feed almost entirely on krill. They feed in large groups that can number in the hundreds when food is abundant. Minke whales are quite fast swimmers and often breach. Below the surface, they can hold their breath for as long as 20 minutes.

blog-image

Blue whales, the titans of the ocean

The largest species Earth has yet created grows to around 30 metres (98 feet) in length. Though blue whales have not recovered from the great whale hunts of the early 20th century, they may sometimes be spotted in Antarctica’s open waters. Blue whales are one of the world’s longest-living species: The oldest whale is thought to have lived to 110 years old, while the average blue whale lifespan is upwards of 80 years.

During the summer months, blue whales often swim near the edge of the Antarctic sea ice. These whales look blue underwater, but on the surface they are more of a mottled blue-grey. Blue whales feed nearly exclusively on Antarctic krill, and adults are able to consume around 4 tonnes (8,800 pounds) of krill per day. Blue whales can be found in small groups, but typically they swim alone or in pairs.

They often swim around 8 kph (5 mph) but can race up to 32 kph (20 mph) when necessary Underwater the whales are very loud: Their pulses, groans, and moans able to be detected by other blue whales up to 1,600 km (1,000 miles) away. Baby blue whales are born weighting up to 3 tonnes (6,600 pounds) and measuring 7.6 metres (25 feet) in length. Feeding off their mother’s milk, baby blue whales put on 90 kg (200 pounds) each day in the first year alone.

blog-image

Blog
go-leftgo-right

Guidelines for visitors to Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Guidelines for visitors to Antarctica

Activities in the Antarctic are governed by the Antarctic Treaty of 1959 and associated agreements, collectively known as the Antarctic Treaty System. The Treaty established Antarctica as a zone dedicated to peace and science. In 1991, the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties adopted the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty, designating the Antarctic as a natural reserve.
Flowers in Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Flowers in Antarctica

The polar regions are among the most inhospitable environments for plants and animals. Life here faces numerous challenges, including low temperatures, high winds, solar radiation, and cell freezing. The Antarctic continent experiences extreme conditions, with darkness during winter and continuous light during summer. Winter temperatures can drop to -60°C or lower.
Harp seals harping on in Greenland - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Harp seals harping on in Greenland

Harp seals are a moderately sized species, typically reaching about 1.6 meters in length and weighing around 130 kilograms. Both males and females are similar in size and weight, with males being only slightly larger. They possess a thick, robust body, a small broad and flat head, short narrow flippers, and a narrow muzzle.
Going Green: Ascension Island Sea Turtles - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Going Green: Ascension Island Sea Turtles

Gold beaches, green mountains - and greener turtles.
Cheapest Antarctica Cruises: How to Save on Your Journey - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Cheapest Antarctica Cruises: How to Save on Your Journey

Antarctica, the world’s most remote and pristine continent, is often seen as a destination reserved for luxury travelers. However, affordable options do exist, making this dream journey accessible to more adventurers. With careful planning and the right provider, like Nexta Expeditions, you can explore the icy wilderness without breaking the bank. This guide will show you how to save on your Antarctic cruise while still enjoying a high-quality experience.
The disastrous expedition in the Arctic west - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The disastrous expedition in the Arctic west

In 1902, Otto Sverdrup, captain of the Fram on Nansen’s expedition, led his own Arctic expedition to the north of Canada. Over the period of the expedition, which started in 1898, Sverdrup and his 15-man crew charted over 250,000 square kilometres of the Arctic using the Fram and sledges. During the expedition Ellesmere Island’s west coast was explored and new islands discovered.
Six Facts About the Crabeater Seals of Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Six Facts About the Crabeater Seals of Antarctica

Antarctic fur seals, leopard seals, Weddell seals, Ross seals, southern elephant seals... The many seal species of Antarctica all have names that are in some way explained by their appearance or primary region of distribution.
Spitsbergen: Alkefjellet magic - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Spitsbergen: Alkefjellet magic

If they knew their way home, why not follow them? Equipped with GPS and compass, we approached the cliffs by zodiac. First, we heard the noise from the colony – the distinct calls of guillemots, kittiwakes, and Glaucous gulls. Then the cliffs gradually emerged from the mist.
Deception Island deceptively active - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Deception Island deceptively active

In Antarctica, the South Shetland archipelago is home to Deception Island, a volcanic-rounded island that is 15 km in diameter with a shield volcano. The volcano is mainly basalt-andesite and was one of the first parts of Antarctica to be discovered, probably around 1820 by UK and USA sealers.
Taking a polar expedition cruise delivers no shortage of show-stopping highlights, but one of the most exhilarating is lifting off from the ship in a helicopter and taking flight over the incomparable Antarctic wilderness. - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Taking a polar expedition cruise delivers no shortage of show-stopping highlights, but one of the most exhilarating is lifting off from the ship in a helicopter and taking flight over the incomparable Antarctic wilderness.

Embarking on a polar expedition cruise offers a plethora of breathtaking experiences, but one of the most thrilling is taking off from the ship in a helicopter and soaring over the stunning Antarctic wilderness.
Fierce and Feathered: the Skuas of Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Fierce and Feathered: the Skuas of Antarctica

At first glance, the skuas you encounter in Antarctica may appear to be merely darker-feathered seagulls. But looks can be deceiving.
Ancient Arctic Exploration - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Ancient Arctic Exploration

When it comes to polar exploration, the Arctic boasts a much longer history compared to Antarctica.
The First Overwintering Hut in Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The First Overwintering Hut in Antarctica

In 1899, Carsten Borchgrevink and his nine crewmen became the first to spend the winter in a hut in Antarctica. (Technically, the Belgian Antarctic Expedition of 1897-1899 was the first to overwinter there, though this was done on their vessel after it was caught in ice.) Borchgrevink and his men spent the dark winter months isolated in a dirty hut, surrounded by equipment and sled dogs fighting each other outside.
The Enchanting Islands of Svalbard - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Enchanting Islands of Svalbard

Svalbard is an Arctic archipelago situated between the North Pole and the Norwegian mainland, offering visitors some of the most stunning wildlife and landscapes in the world. Here we explore seven of the most visited Svalbard islands, highlighting the many wonders that draw people back year after year.
8 Whales You Might See During Your Antarctica Cruise - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

8 Whales You Might See During Your Antarctica Cruise

They're powerful, beautiful, and really, really big. Whales are a wonder of the natural world, and one of the best places to see them is Antarctica. In fact, whale watching is one of the most popular and rewarding activities you can enjoy on an Antarctic trip.
10 Weather-Fueled Facts about Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

10 Weather-Fueled Facts about Antarctica

Most of us have at least a vague notion of what makes the North and South Poles so brutally, bone-chillingly cold: They receive less sunlight than the rest of the planet, what sunlight they do receive arrives at an angle, and they’re usually buried under endless mounds of ice and snow. This holds especially true for the South Pole and its centerpiece, Antarctica. Fewer people know, however, what drives Antarctic weather, or what results from it. Here are ten weather-related facts about the most southern continent that will put your polar meteorology ahead of the curve.
Antarctic Icon: 44 Facts About the Emperor Penguin - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Antarctic Icon: 44 Facts About the Emperor Penguin

What polar bears are for the Arctic, emperor penguins are for Antarctica. These flightless aquatic birds are probably the most recognizable animals in the southern polar regions and certainly among the most popular wildlife attractions for our passengers.
11 Seals You May See in Antarctica or the Arctic - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

11 Seals You May See in Antarctica or the Arctic

1. Weddell seals – These seals are known for their calm demeanor and spend most of their lives beneath the Antarctic ice. Although they need to come up for air, they can remain underwater for up to 45 minutes. Weddell seals can dive to depths of 610 meters (2,000 feet) in search of food. These vocal animals usually have one pup annually and can grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) and weigh 544 kg (1,200 lbs).
Scenes from St. Andrews Bay:  12 Pics of Penguins, Seals, and More - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Scenes from St. Andrews Bay: 12 Pics of Penguins, Seals, and More

If you ever find yourself exploring the breathtaking sub-Antarctic island chain of South Georgia, one of the most captivating spots you'll encounter is the picturesque shoreline of St. Andrews Bay.
Antarctica Cities (and Five Other Things That Don’t Exist There) - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Antarctica Cities (and Five Other Things That Don’t Exist There)

Why write about what you won't find in Antarctica? Most travel blogs highlight what a destination offers, but many polar tourists visit Antarctica to experience a new world and escape their old one.