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This recently discovered hairy crab species (Kiwa hirsuta) has no eyes.
Overview

The Census of Marine Life

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a large iceberg
Video

National Ice Center Monitors the Arctic and Antarctic

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the front of an ice breaker
Video

Sea Ice in its Ever-Changing Forms

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a cold water dive
Video

Cold Water Diving with WHOI

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The Ross Sea is a 1.9 million square mile (3.6 million square km) stretch of ocean off the coast of Antarctica.
Slideshow

A Trip South to Antarctica’s Ross Sea

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Nutrient influxes can cause phytoplankton blooms in the Antarctic.
Photo

Phytoplankton Bloom in the Antarctic

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Bright colors seem to jump off of this comb jelly, or ctenophore.
Photo

Floating Antarctic Comb Jelly

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Fish have certain adaptations, like blood with built-in antifreeze, to survive in the Antarctic.
Photo

Fish Adapt to Icy Water

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An isopod stands on top of a glass sponge, extending its legs to find zooplankton.
Photo

Isopod in a Glass Home

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Many Antarctic creatures, like the dinner-plate-sized sea spiders, have evolved to a gigantic size to cope with the extreme environment.
Photo

Cold-Water Sea Spider

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Despite the cold and dark environment, soft-bodied animals like anemones abound under the ice in the Antarctic.
Photo

Anemone in Cold Antarctic Water

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The dark sea floor of the Antarctic, beneath sea ice, is covered with life.
Photo

Antarctic Ocean Floor

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