The Arctic is the northernmost region of Earth, encompassing the Arctic Ocean and surrounding landmasses like Greenland, and the northern parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. It is defined by distinct polar conditions, often considered the area north of the Arctic Circle (66°30′ N latitude), where there is at least one day without sunlight in winter and one day without sunset in summer. The climate is characterized by long, cold winters with average temperatures reaching -40 degrees Fahrenheit and short, cool summers where average highs can reach 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This extreme environment features extensive sea ice, glaciers, and permafrost—permanently frozen ground that underlies much of the region. Despite these challenging conditions, the Arctic supports a surprising variety of life.
Animals of the Arctic
The Arctic is home to diverse animal life, uniquely adapted to the cold. Mammals include the polar bear, known for hunting seals on sea ice. Various seal species, such as bearded and ringed seals, inhabit Arctic waters, some spending their entire lives here. Whales like belugas and narwhals also navigate these icy seas.
Terrestrial mammals include reindeer, also known as caribou, found across the circumpolar Arctic in tundra and boreal forest regions. These deer are well-suited to extreme cold, with some populations undertaking long migrations. Arctic foxes adapt their fur color seasonally from white in winter to earthier tones in summer for camouflage. Snowy owls and various seabirds, many migrating to the Arctic for summer breeding, also populate the region.
Marine life forms the base of the Arctic food web, with fish and invertebrates supporting larger predators. Arctic cod, for example, sustain seals and seabirds. These fish possess antifreeze proteins in their blood, allowing them to survive in near-freezing water temperatures.
Plants of the Arctic
The Arctic’s plant life thrives despite short growing seasons, permafrost, and extreme cold. Approximately 1,700 species, including flowering plants, dwarf shrubs, herbs, grasses, mosses, and lichens, inhabit the Arctic tundra. These plants adapt by growing low to the ground, often in dense cushions or mats, which protects them from strong winds and retains warmth.
Many Arctic plants are perennials, meaning they live for more than two years, and exhibit rapid growth during the short summer period of continuous daylight. Examples include snow buttercups, Arctic poppies, and various saxifrages. Mosses and lichens are common, able to withstand being covered by snow and ice for extended periods and resuming growth promptly when conditions improve. These plants often have shallow root systems to navigate the permafrost, which only thaws a thin layer of soil during summer.
People of the Arctic
The Arctic has been continuously inhabited by various indigenous groups for thousands of years, with deep cultural and historical connections to the land and sea. Among the most widespread are the Inuit, whose homelands span from Chukotka in Russia across Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. The Sami people reside in Fennoscandia, covering northern parts of Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Northwest Russia. Other indigenous groups include the Nenets, Khanty, Evenk, and Chukchi in Russia, and Aleuts, Yup’ik, Alutiiq, Dene, Gwich’in, and Athabaskans in North America.
These communities have developed traditional knowledge systems that guide their way of life, including hunting, fishing, and reindeer herding. Their practices emphasize sustainable resource utilization and respect for the environment. While indigenous peoples constitute about 10% of the Arctic’s total population of approximately four million, modern non-indigenous populations, such as researchers, military personnel, and those involved in resource industries, also reside in the region, often in established settlements.
Survival Strategies in the Arctic
Life in the Arctic demands specialized adaptations to extreme cold, limited light, and scarce resources. Animals employ physiological and behavioral strategies like developing thick layers of fur or blubber for insulation. Polar bears have a dense fur coat and thick blubber, while Arctic foxes possess fur so insulating they do not shiver until temperatures drop to around -70°C. Many animals also have compact body shapes, smaller extremities, and fur-lined feet to minimize heat loss.
Some Arctic animals, such as certain bears and marmots, hibernate to conserve energy during winter when food is scarce. Other species, like caribou and many birds, migrate to avoid the harshest conditions. Behavioral adaptations also include huddling together to share body heat or seeking shelter in burrows and dens.
Plants exhibit adaptations such as growing low to the ground in dense formations, which traps warmer air and protects them from strong winds and ice. Many have fuzzy coverings on their stems and leaves to retain heat and moisture. Their ability to photosynthesize at low temperatures and initiate rapid growth and flowering during the short summer allows them to maximize their brief growing season. Human inhabitants have relied on traditional knowledge, developing specialized clothing, hunting techniques, and an understanding of seasonal patterns and ice conditions to survive in the Arctic.