Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 01/08/2008 - 10:54
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Human Impacts in Antarctica

What kinds of animals live there and are the polar bears going extinct?

Mrs. Green's 6th Grade Social Studies

5th Period

Kirbyville, TX

Tue, 01/08/2008 - 16:53

Ann Linsley

 Dear Mrs. Green's class,
 
Research scientists say that the polar bear is facing extinction in the Arctic due to the receding Arctic sea ice as a result of changing temperatures.  The Polar Bear is not able to access food supplies in the quantity that it needs to survive.  However, there are no polar bears in Antarctica.  There are no mammals on the Antarctic continent.  There are whales in the Antarctic waters which are mammals.  The only animals that live on land are penguins and seals but both spend quite a bit of time in the water as well.   The only other animals are migratory ocean birds like the petrel and the albatross.  There are no food sources on land to support animal life so if it can not get food from the water and insulate itself from the cold it cannot survive. 
 
Thanks for the question!
Ann Linsley 
 
Ann Linsley