At the northern and southern extremes of our planet lie two vast and mysterious regions: the Arctic and the Antarctic. Though they sit on opposite ends of the globe, they share a reputation for being harsh, frozen, and remote. But despite their icy silence, these polar realms are anything but lifeless.
The Arctic and Antarctic are alive with unique ecosystems, shaped by millennia of climate patterns and deeply intertwined with the stability of Earth’s environment. These polar frontiers are actively involved in regulating the planet’s temperature, weather systems, and ocean circulation.
But what is so different about them? Are there any similarities at all? And what sort of creatures might one find in these inhospitable landscapes? Click through this gallery to find out.