Antarctica is the coldest, windiest, driest land mass on earth, so you may be surprised at the diversity of life to be found on the continent and in its surrounding waters.
Today is the International Day for Biological Diversity. Follow the links below to explore some of the amazing assortment of plants, animals and microscopic creatures that call the Antarctic and subantarctic regions home.
- Penguins are the animal most commonly associated with the icy continent. Check the fact files for everything you need to know about Antarctic and subantarctic species of penguins, including some unusual examples of their kind, and spot some king penguins on the beach at Macquarie Island via the webcam.
- Hear some sounds of Antarctic wildlife.
- The sea floor around Antarctica is teeming with animals and plants in benthic communities (includes video). Read an article on how scientists are using modern genetic methods to study the dispersal and biodiversity of undersea creatures in Antarctica, and check out a gallery of weird and wonderful creatures.
- Experience a voyage to discover Southern Ocean marine life aboard the Aurora Australis.
- Find out why Casey station is home to the so-called Daintree of Antarctica. Antarctica is better known for its penguins than its plants, but many species of lichen, mosses and liverworts and snow algae can be found amongst the ice.