Why Are Antarctic Animals in Danger?
Antarctica has the coldest recorded climate in the world. A thick, solid sheet of ice covers all but a mere 2.4% of the continent’s 14 million square kilometres. This remarkable layer of ice is on average 7000 ft thick and contains 70% of the world’s fresh water. With the average monthly temperatures never surpassing 0F, this icy desert makes for a very harsh living environment. As such, very few Antarctic animals survive above the water all year round. With this in mind, it is relatively surprising to find that beneath its frigid exterior thrives an ecosystem full of variety. Unfortunately, the damage done to our ozone layer has had a serious effect on this fragile ecosystem. The holes formed in the stratosphere (a layer in the earth’s atmosphere) cause a worldwide effect known as Global Warming. The ozone layer protects us from the harmful UV rays found in our outer atmosphere. When it is irreparably damaged, our world’s climates start to change. Unfortunately for the Antarctic anima
