Exploring the Bizarre Creatures of the Southern Ocean

🐟The Antarctic icefish has clear blood and can absorb oxygen through its skin.

🌊The Southern Ocean is isolated from the rest of the world's oceans by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.

🌏The Southern Ocean may have conditions more similar to other worlds, like Saturn's moon, than to the rest of Earth.

🐙Animals in the Southern Ocean, such as the Antarctic Blue whale and the Colossal Squid, can grow to massive sizes.

❄️The cold and nutrient-rich waters of the Southern Ocean support a diverse range of unique organisms.

What makes the Southern Ocean unique?

—The Southern Ocean is cut off from the rest of the world's oceans by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, creating a distinct ecosystem.

How do Antarctic icefish survive without red blood cells?

—Antarctic icefish have adapted to absorb oxygen through their skin, allowing them to survive without red blood cells.

What are some of the largest animals found in the Southern Ocean?

—The Southern Ocean is home to giant creatures like the Antarctic Blue whale and the Colossal Squid.

How do animals in the Southern Ocean grow to such massive sizes?

—The cold and nutrient-rich waters of the Southern Ocean provide an abundance of food that allows animals to grow larger.

Why are scientists studying the Southern Ocean's unique creatures?

—Scientists are studying the Southern Ocean to learn how life thrives in extreme environments and to understand adaptations to polar ecosystems.

00:00The Southern Ocean is home to some of the strangest and most unique animals on Earth.

00:18Antarctic icefish have clear blood and can absorb oxygen through their skin.

01:32The Southern Ocean is isolated from the rest of the world's oceans by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.

02:47The Southern Ocean may have conditions more similar to other worlds, like Saturn's moon, than to the rest of Earth.

01:08Animals in the Southern Ocean, such as the Antarctic Blue whale and the Colossal Squid, can grow to massive sizes.

02:12The cold and nutrient-rich waters of the Southern Ocean support a diverse range of unique organisms.

01:42The Southern Ocean is cut off from the rest of the world's oceans by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.

03:35Scientists are studying the Southern Ocean to learn how life thrives in extreme environments and to understand adaptations to polar ecosystems.