Wildlife of Antarctica

The world’s southernmost continent is an icy wilderness teeming with iconic wildlife. From penguins that mate for life to majestic whales that rule the Southern Ocean, Antarctica offers unforgettable encounters at every turn. As you embark on your Antarctica cruise, keep a lookout for some of the incredible species that call this remote region home. Here’s your guide to the extraordinary wildlife of Antarctica. 

Penguins are one of the most iconic symbols of Antarctic wildlife – remarkable creatures perfectly adapted to life in this extreme environment. Below, we explore some of the most well-known and beloved species. 

Common Name: Emperor Penguin

Scientific Name: Aptenodytes forsteri

Type: Bird       

Diet: Carnivores

Size: On average, around 4 feet tall

Weight: Between 44 to 99 pounds, with their weight fluctuating dramatically throughout the year

Majestic and unmistakable, the Emperor penguin reigns as the largest of all living penguin species, uniquely adapted to life in Antarctica’s remote, frozen wilderness. These remarkable birds breed and raise their young on ‘fast ice’ – a floating platform of sea ice anchored to the coastline or ice shelves – making them particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and the alarming decline in sea ice. Renowned for their extraordinary diving abilities, Emperor penguins have been recorded plunging to depths of over 550 metres, with the longest dive lasting an astonishing 30 minutes. With an estimated population of around 280,000 breeding pairs, they are not considered to be the most popular type of penguins in Antarctica, yet their survival tells a powerful story of resilience in one of Earth’s harshest environments. 

Common Name: Adélie Penguin

Scientific Name: Pygoscelis adeliae

Type: Bird       

Diet: Carnivores

Size: On average, around 2 feet and 9 inches tall

Weight: Typically between 8.5 and 12 pounds

In stark contrast to the towering Emperor penguin, the Adélie is one of the smallest penguin species found in Antarctica. Despite their petite stature and undeniably adorable appearance, these plucky birds are famously feisty characters who are unafraid to stand their ground, even against potential predators. They’re also impressive divers, with the deepest recorded dive reaching a remarkable 180 metres. Unlike some other penguin species, Adélies spend their entire lives in Antarctica, shifting between different regions as the seasons change. 

Common Name: Gentoo Penguin

Scientific Name: Pygoscelis papua

Type: Bird       

Diet: Carnivores

Size: On average, between 2.25 and 2.9 feet tall

Weight: Typically between 10 and 19 pounds

Gentoo penguins are charismatic creatures renowned for being the fastest swimmers of all penguin species, the third largest in size, and perhaps most charmingly, for their endearing courtship ritual of presenting a carefully chosen pebble as a token of love and commitment. Gentoo penguins are true partners when it comes to parenting, sharing responsibilities from the very start. Together, they build a circular nest using stones, grass, moss, and feathers. The female typically lays two eggs a few days apart, and both parents take turns incubating them. Once hatched, the chicks remain in the nest for about a month, during which time the parents alternate between foraging for food and brooding their young. After this early stage, the chicks join crèches—small groups of other young penguins—for safety and social development. This penguin species is typically found in the Antarctic Peninsula and on many sub-Antarctic islands, as they thrive in relatively mild climates and prefer to live in regions with low or no ice cover. 

Common Name: Chinstrap Penguin

Scientific Name: Pygoscelis antarcticus

Type: Bird       

Diet: Carnivores

Size: On average, around 2.25 - 2.5 feet tall 

Weight: Typically between 7.1 and 11.7 pounds
 

Easily recognisable by the distinctive black line that runs like a strap beneath their chin, Chinstrap penguins are among the most abundant penguin species in Antarctica. Compared to other penguins, their dives tend to be fairly shallow, though they are capable of reaching depths of up to 70 metres. In the wild, Chinstraps can live for around 20 years, but they must remain vigilant - adults face threats from predators like leopard seals and orcas, while eggs and chicks are vulnerable to opportunistic birds. Unfortunately, scientists have reported declining Chinstrap populations in parts of the Antarctic Peninsula, with climate change believed to be a driving factor. 

Common Name: Macaroni Penguin

Scientific Name: Eudyptes chrysolophus

Type: Bird       

Diet: Carnivores

Size: On average, around 27 inches tall

Weight: Approximately 11 pounds
 

Macaroni Penguins are instantly recognisable by their striking yellow orange-crests that sweep dramatically back from their foreheads. They are one of the most abundant penguin species, with an estimated population of over 11 million pairs. However, in some regions, numbers are declining - likely due to the impacts of climate change and overfishing. Like many of their Antarctic cousins, Macaronis are impressive divers, typically monogamous, and known for gathering in vast, densely packed colonies that bustle with noise and activity. 

Whales are fascinating and majestic giants that roam the icy waters of Antarctica, often captivating onlookers with their breathtaking acrobatic displays. Below, we take a closer look at some of the most iconic whale species found in the Southern Ocean.

Common Name: Humpback whale

Scientific Name: Megaptera novaeangliae

Type: Mammal     

Diet: Carnivores

Size: Between 13 and 16 metres long

Weight: Between 50,000 and 80,000 pounds 

Humpback whales are famous for their breathtaking acrobatic displays – leaping out of the water, soaring through the air, and crashing back down with a loud splash. They are also known for slapping their tails on the water's surface – a behaviour scientists believe may serve as a form of communication. These majestic giants undertake the longest migration of any mammal, travelling thousands of miles between their feeding and breeding grounds. As a result of these epic journeys, Humpback whales can be found in every ocean on Earth, including the icy waters of Antarctica. 

Common Name: Blue whale

Scientific Name: Balaenoptera musculus intermedia

Type: Mammal      

Diet: Carnivore 

Size: Approximately 33 metres long 

Weight: Ranging from 200,000 to 300,000 pounds

Despite being the largest animals on Earth, Blue whales are famously calm and gentle, often described as the friendly, gentle giants of the ocean. Studies suggest these majestic mammals are naturally curious and may even show interest in humans when encountered. Some scientists believe they possess a high level of emotional intelligence – and may be capable of experiencing complex emotions, including empathy. Sadly, Blue whales are endangered, facing ongoing threats from climate change, pollution, ship strikes, and entanglement in fishing gear. 

Common Name: Orca or killer whale

Scientific Name: Orcinus orca

Type: Mammal      

Diet: Carnivore

Size: Up to 27 feet 

Weight: Males typically weigh 12,000 pounds or more, whereas females tend to weigh between 8,000 to 11,000 pounds

Often hailed as the ‘Kings of the Ocean’, Orcas – also known as killer whales – reign at the very top of the marine food chain. These highly intelligent mammals hold the top rank as apex predators and have no natural predators. Technically part of the dolphin family, Orcas earned the title of ‘whale’ largely due to their sheer size and ancient sailor observations. Known for their strong intellect and exceptional teamwork skills, Orcas hunt together, using sophisticated strategies highlighting the complexity of their social structure and familial bonds. One of their remarkable techniques is ‘wave hunting’ – a coordinated effort where orcas swim in unison to generate powerful waves that wash over ice floes, dislodging unsuspecting seals and sending them into the water, where the pod can capture them. 

Common Name: Fin whale 

Scientific Name: Balaenoptera physalus

Type: Mammal       

Diet: Carnivore

Size: Up to 85 feet

Weight: Approximately 160,000 pounds
 

Fin whales boast the reputation of being the second-largest mammals on Earth, surpassed only by the Blue whale. Once nearly driven to extinction by commercial whaling, their population is gradually recovering thanks to global protection efforts and a ban on whaling. These sociable giants are often spotted in groups of two to seven – though larger gatherings have been observed. Like other whales, they communicate using deep, resonant vocalisations that travel vast distances through the ocean. Fin whales are easily recognised by the distinctive dorsal fin near their tail. While their recovery is promising, they remain at risk from modern-day threats such as climate change, ocean noise pollution, and more. 

Often seen lounging on ice floes or navigating the rugged Antarctic coastline, seals are another iconic part of the continent’s wildlife. In the sections below, we highlight some of the most notable species of the region and share fascinating facts about each.

Common Name: Leopard seal 

Scientific Name: Hydrurga leptonyx

Type: Mammal       

Diet: Carnivore

Size: Ranging between 7.9 to 11.5 feet in length 

Weight: Between 440 to 1,320 pounds 

As one of Antarctica’s apex predators and the third-largest seal species, Leopard seals are powerful and solitary hunters, rarely gathering in groups except during the mating season. Their varied diet includes penguins, fish, krill, squid, seabirds – and occasionally even other seals, including pups. Agile swimmers, they navigate the icy waters with ease and communicate underwater using a wide range of eerie sounds. In the winter months, Leopard seals often migrate north in search of warmer waters with reduced ice cover.

Common Name: Crabeater seal 

Scientific Name: Lobodon carcinophagus

Type: Mammal       

Diet: Carnivore

Size: Ranging between 7.5 to 8.5 feet in length 

Weight: Between 440 to 660 pounds 

With an estimated population of around 15 million, Crabeater seals are among the most abundant seal species on the planet. Despite their name, these seals feed almost exclusively on krill—not crabs. Their main predators are Leopard seals, which contribute to a high mortality rate among pups in their first year, and orcas. Unlike the more solitary Leopard seal, Crabeater seals are highly social, often seen swimming together or resting on ice floes in groups that can number up to 1,000 individuals. 

Common Name: Antarctica fur seal or Southern fur seal

Scientific Name: Arctocephalus gazella

Type: Mammal       

Diet: Carnivore

Size: Ranging between 4.6 and 6.5 feet

Weight: Males typically weigh around 293 pounds, whilst females weigh around 74.9 pounds

The Antarctic fur seal, also known as the southern fur seal, is the smallest seal species in Antarctica – and the only one with external ears, making it easy to distinguish from the others. Uniquely among Antarctic seals, they can rotate their hind flippers forward, allowing them to walk on all fours, a trait not shared by the region’s other five seal species. There is a striking difference in size between males and females, with males being significantly larger. Fascinatingly, female fur seals are able to synchronise their births, with around 90% of pups in a colony born within the same 10-day period each year. 

Common Name: Weddell seal

Scientific Name: Leptonychotes weddellii

Type: Mammal      

Diet: Carnivore 

Size: Up to 11 feet 6 inches in length 

Weight: Between 880 and 1,320 pounds

The Weddell seal is one of the most frequently seen seal species in Antarctica, as it remains near the coast and fast ice year-round rather than migrating. Found all around the continent, these remarkable seals spend much of their time beneath the ice, diving to impressive depths and using their teeth to maintain breathing holes. Weddell seals are also incredibly vocal – producing an eerie and otherworldly range of sounds, from trills and whistles to chirps and moans, which can travel long distances underwater and are believed to play a role in communication and navigation. Female seals give birth on the ice and are highly protective, often vigorously defending their pups from any perceived threat. 

Often seen soaring gracefully above the Southern Ocean, Albatrosses are a striking presence in the skies of Antarctica. Below, we share some fascinating facts about these powerful and awe-inspiring birds. 

Common Name: Wandering Albatross or Snowy Albatross 

Scientific Name: Leptonychotes weddellii

Type: Bird     

Diet: Carnivore 

Size: Up to 4.4 feet in length

Weight: Generally between 13 and 28 pounds

Boasting the largest wingspan of any bird in the world, the Wandering Albatross is built for epic journeys across the open ocean. These powerful seabirds spend the vast majority of their lives in flight, only landing to breed and feed. While they have no natural predators due to their airborne lifestyle, they remain vulnerable to threats such as longline fishing, plastic pollution, and the impacts of climate change.