7 Animals of the Ice and Snow-Mid

Animals of the Ice and Snow FOCUS Question What features help animals stay warm and safe living in ice and snow?

Living on the Ice The North Pole and the South Pole are very cold. They are windy and icy. To live there, animals need to stay warm. They also need to stay safe.

Animals in cold places have special body parts to stay warm. The animals below live in the cold. How are these animals the same? How are these animals different? Which body features help them stay warm?

Body Fat Many animals in cold places have a lot of body fat. The fat is under their skin. Body fat keeps an animal warm. Animals gain fat from the food they eat.

Some seals spend time on ice and in water. They swim in the water to find fish to eat. Eating fish gives seals more body fat. This extra fat helps keep them warm on the ice and in the water.

Fur Some animals have fur. Fur is a layer of hair. Fur keeps an animal warm. It blocks the wind.