Poles

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Humpback Whale in Antarctic Waters

Apr 4, 2013 - 9:22AMHumpback whales (Megaptera novaengliae) can be found in Antarctic waters during the spring and summer in the Southern hemisphere, where they gorge on their main food source: tiny krill. How do they locate the small prey and...

A Pair of Sea Butterflies
Feb 15, 2013 - 10:56AM
This pair of sea butterflies (Limacina helicina) flutter not far from the...

Deep-Water Larvacean, or “Sea-Tadpole”
Dec 10, 2012 - 10:20AM
In the icy waters of the Arctic, a deep-water larvacean (aka “sea tadpole”...

SPOTLIGHT

The Sant Ocean Hall: Life at the Poles Exhibit

At the Poles, Life Thrives  Located beside the Shores and Shallows gallery (which highlights different kinds of coastal...
ROV Video of Stunning Creatures
ROV Video of Stunning Creatures
Jan 7 2011 - 3:53pm
Using an ROV (Remotely-Operated Vehicle) equipped with a high-definition video camera, scientists can observe the life that flourishes beneath the Arctic ice. On this expedition, they discovered creatures, like this Narcomedusa jelly, that were previously unknown.
Arctic Sea Ice: A New Low?
Sep 8 2011 - 4:04pm
At a recent staff meeting a Smithsonian colleague mentioned that one of his pastimes this summer has been keeping tabs on the Arctic sea ice. The question that's on many Arctic-watchers' minds is whether or not the 2011 sea ice coverage will reach a new record low.
Arctic Copepod
Aug 3 2012 - 10:51am
This copepod Calanus hyperboreus (up to 7mm in length) lives in the Arctic, usually within 500 meters of the surface. To survive the cold Arctic winters, Calanus hyperboreus builds up dense fat (lipid) supplies on its body, which makes it a preferred food of both...
Arctic Amphipod
Jan 6 2011 - 1:28pm
This species of amphipod, Eusirus holmii, was found both at the surface of Arctic waters and as deep as 2000 meters (6562 feet).  Researchers have found that while the amphipod inhabits the sea ice, the water column, and the sea floor, it is generally found in deep-basin waters.
Humpback Whales in Antarctica: What Are the Whales Doing?
Feb 7 2013 - 12:01pm
Humpback whales (Megaptera novaengliae) are the most abundant baleen whale in the nearshore waters around the Antarctic Peninsula. They, along with millions of penguins, seals, seabirds, and other whales, feed primarily on Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) during summer months.
Arctic Ocean Diversity
Sep 4 2012 - 1:31pm
The ArcOD project brought together existing information about the diversity of Arctic ecosystems, collected new samples to fill in gaps of knowledge and looked for species and community changes over time in the region. Determining a baseline of information about the Arctic is especially important...
Arctic Scientists at Work
Arctic Scientists at Work
Jan 10 2011 - 1:17pm
Arctic scientists study a range of marine animals – from large species like polar bears to the microscopic, like phytoplankton. The amount of phytoplankton at different depths can tell us about the amount of sunlight and food available in the Arctic waters. Learn more in the Under Arctic Ice photo...
Arctic Lesson Plans from NOAA
Aug 17 2011 - 3:25pm
Chapter 3: Fragile Fauna Jelly Critters Grade Level: 5-6 Focus: Life Science- Gelatinous zooplankton in the Canada Basin  Description: In this activity, students will be able to compare and contrast at least three different groups of organisms that are includ
Armhook Squid
Jan 6 2011 - 11:55am
Close-up of Boreoatlantic armhook squid, Gonatus fabricii. View the “Under Arctic Ice” photo essay.
The Baltic Sea faces challenges from pollution, algae blooms, over fishing, and invasive species.
Biodiversity in the Baltic Sea
Oct 12 2011 - 4:56pm
In the spring of 2011, a research crew from Oceana spent two months in the brackish Baltic Sea. The Baltic faces challenges from pollution, algae blooms, over fishing, and invasive species. Oceana researchers gathered data, samples, photographs, and videos with the goal of proposing an...
Deep-Water Larvacean, or “Sea-Tadpole”
Dec 10 2012 - 10:20am
In the icy waters of the Arctic, a deep-water larvacean (aka “sea tadpole” because it looks like a tadpole) drifts through the water in its 'house.' This house is made of protein and creates almost a shell around the larvacean and helps to filter particles out of the water for the larvacean to eat...
Bowhead Whales
Jan 6 2011 - 3:24pm
The bowhead whale has a massive, bow-shaped skull to break through thick Arctic ice, and more blubber than any other whale.
Transparent sea jelly
Jan 6 2011 - 12:38pm
Many jellyfish in the class Hydrozoa, such as this hydromedusa Aglantha digitale, are transparent and easily overlooked. Learn more about hydrozoan jellies and other jellyfish, and see more pictures of Arctic animals in the “Under Arctic Ice” photo essay.
A Pair of Sea Butterflies
Feb 15 2013 - 10:56am
This pair of sea butterflies (Limacina helicina) flutter not far from the ocean's surface in the Arctic. Sea butterflies are a type of sea snail, but instead of dragging themselves around the seafloor with a muscular foot, they flap their adapted feet like butterfly wings! They are very small—...
Emperors of Antarctica
Jan 26 2010 - 11:45am
Scripps scientist Gerald Kooyman's expeditions have documented climate-induced changes to emperor penguin habitat in Antarctica. Learn more about life at the poles or check out this emperor penguin chick with mother.
A polar bear and her cub on the ice
Polar Bears: One Species at a Time
Jun 28 2011 - 2:25pm
The Encyclopedia of Life and Atlantic Public Media bring us another installment of the podcast, One Species at a Time. In this podcast, host Ari Daniel Shapiro relates two close calls with polar bears. Listen as Heather Cray recalls how, dumped by a storm on a small Arctic island,...