While winter may be a chilly season that forces people to wear layers of clothes and warm themselves up, there are some animals that live and thrive in extremely cold environments. These creatures are called chionophiles, which refers to organisms that thrive and love the snow.
Let's take a look at some chionophiles that live in the most frigid environments.
Cold-Loving Animals
Polar Bears
Polar bears are among the most popular cold-loving animals. These creatures are considered the world's largest bears and are known to be symbols of perseverance and strength in the wild.
These bears have transparent fur, black skin, and blue tongues. Their coats of fur are oily, so they may keep excess water from penetrating them and making them cold.
These white bears can be found in nations that sit at the border of the Arctic Ocean. They spend the majority of their lives in the water, hunting prey.
Global population estimations of polar bears lie at roughly 20,000. These bears have been classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
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Emperor Penguins
Among chionophiles in the Southern Hemisphere, penguins are the best-dressed ones. Unlike other species of penguins, emperor penguins are the largest ones that stand at a height of four feet and weigh as much as 100 pounds.
Interestingly, for these creatures to stay warm, emperor penguins huddle together in a rotating circle.
Most penguin species can be found in the Antarctic region. However, they also dwell in the coasts of South America, Australia, sub-Antarctic islands, and Africa.
Snow Leopards
Snow leopards have unique gray-white pebbled fur that enables them to perfectly camouflage in their environment. As they are able to blend in so well, they have even earned the nickname "ghosts of the mountain."
The back legs of these animals are strong enough to propel them six times their length. They also have a long tail, which helps keep them warm and balanced.
Snow leopards can be found in the mountain ranges across Central Asia, including those of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Russia, Pakistan, Nepal, Mongolia, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, India, China, Bhutan, and Afghanistan.
The species has been classified as threatened. Major threats to snow leopards include habitat loss, climate change, poaching, and food scarcity. Their entire population all over the world is estimated to be less than 10,000 mature animals. It is expected that their population may see declines of roughly 10% by the year 2040.
Snowy Owls
Snowy owls are among the most popular breeds of owls across the world. Known for their unique white plumage, these owls have become a symbol of the mystery and beauty of the Arctic region.
They are also North America's heaviest owls, as they can weigh up to four pounds because of their thick feathers with insulating properties. Moreover, unlike other owls, snowy owls are actually not nocturnal. This is largely due to how the Arctic Circle has long daylight hours.
These owls can be found across North America, from the Arctic Circle up until northern US. They can also be spotted in Asia and Europe as well.
Walruses
Walruses are massive cold-weather animals with a unique appearance. Their lengths can reach up to 11 feet, while their weight can go over 1 ton.
These creatures can typically be heard bellowing with each other from a distance. They are crucial to the marine ecosystem and are known to adapt to the environment of the Arctic region.
In the past, walruses have been subjects of poaching and hunting due to their tusks and blubbers. However, at present, climate change appears to pose major threats to the species. Because of the Arctic Circle's receding ice, migrating walruses now have less space to be held as they venture towards their source of food. These creatures have been gathering in rocker and smaller islands that are incapable of holding all of them. Some walruses ended up drowning while others fell from cliffs after trying to find a resting place.
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