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Discover the Frozen World: Top 8 Amazing and Fun Facts About the Arctic

illustration of the-arctic
Dive into the frosty world of the Arctic with these ice-cold, yet fascinating tidbits that are sure to give you chills and thrills!

1. Tropical Penguins

What's black and white and lives in tropical paradises? No, not a zebra on vacation, but penguins!: The Galápagos penguin is the only species of penguin found north of the equator, residing on tropical islands, while other species such as Adélie and emperor, even thrive amidst the harsh conditions in Antarctica, which is considered part of the Arctic region.
Source => pbs.org

2. Alaska's Icy Investment

Once upon a frosty folly: The United States scooped up a glacial goldmine in 1867 when they purchased Alaska from Russia for a cool $7.2 million! The deal, dubbed "Seward's Icebox," was initially met with a frosty reception but soon warmed up to a hot commodity following the Klondike Gold Strike of 1896, proving that sometimes it does pay to invest in a frozen asset.
Source => archives.gov

3. Methane Hydrate Parties

The Arctic: where methane hydrates throw the coolest and most exclusive ice parties beneath the sea floor! Seriously though: despite concerns about methane emission and climate change, the actual amount of methane released in the Arctic is lower than feared, with melting permafrost playing a minor role in the overall emission.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Arctic Squirrel Snoozefest

Move over, Rip Van Winkle: Arctic ground squirrels have you beat with their eight-month snooze-fests and impeccable alarm clocks! In all seriousness: These furry hibernators maintain a core body temperature below freezing, protect their hearts and brains from low breathing and blood flow rates, and adhere to a strict circannual clock, ensuring their timely emergence for a rushed 3-4 months of breeding and preparation for the next big sleep.
Source => frontierscientists.com

Chilling in Barrow, Alaska

5. Chilling in Barrow, Alaska

In Barrow, Alaska, even Jack Frost packs his bags and heads for warmer pastures: this Arctic metropolis experiences winter temperatures frequently plunging into the depths of a bone-chilling -30°F. The city's isolated position and sparse infrastructure mean that airborne escapades are often the only way to journey beyond its frosty borders, yet intrepid residents continue to flock there, basking in the glow of natural wonder and majestic wildlife that only the Arctic can offer.
Source => bestplaces.net

6. Polar Bear Marathon Swimmer

Who needs Uber when you're a polar bear with serious freestyle skills?: One particular bear went to great lengths, literally, with a 687 km swim over 9.67 days in the Beaufort Sea, proving that these furry titans are not only great swimmers but can also endure marathon aquatic sessions in pursuit of their next meal.
Source => guinnessworldrecords.com

7. Globe-trotting Arctic Terns

These globe-trotting avian sun-worshippers have truly mastered the art of catching rays while avoiding polar bear encounters: Arctic terns experience more daylight than any other animal on Earth, as they migrate up to 35,000 km (22,000 miles) each year between Arctic and Antarctic summers while chowing down on small fish and nesting on sandy beaches.
Source => rspb.org.uk

8. Reindeer: Lichen Enthusiasts and Trivia Champs

Who knew that Santa's crew had a thing for lichen and light-up eyes, huh? Reindeer make terrific holiday bar trivia champions, and that's no joke: These adaptable beasts are the only large mammals that can metabolize lichen, while their eyeballs sport a snazzy tissue layer that changes from gold to blue in wintertime, aiding their sight during the Arctic's never-ending night and giving them the edge against sneaky, snow-blending predators.
Source => animalia.bio

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