On this page, you’ll find pictures and facts on these and many other Arctic animals. Despite being one of Earth’s most hostile environments, the Arctic is home to many different species. Marine mammals, such as whales, migrate north when the ice clears to feed on the rich plankton of the cold Arctic waters. Many birds migrate enormous distances from all major continents, to reach the abundant food sources of the Arctic. We cover all Arctic species from the largest mammals like polar bears to the smallest plants and insects, providing comprehensive information about their behaviors, habitats, and survival strategies. Yet the Arctic is actually teeming with wildlife, from large mammals like walruses and polar bears to birds, fish, small plants, and even tiny ocean organisms called plankton. The Arctic region covers much of Earth's northern pole. About 4 million people live in the Arctic, spread out over eight countries, including the United States. Diverse landscapes—from the sea ice to coastal wetlands, upland tundra, mountains, wide rivers, and the sea itself—support abundant wildlife and many cultures. After spending over eight years studying polar ecosystems and witnessing climate change firsthand during my fieldwork in Svalbard and the Canadian Arctic, I’ve gained unique insight into how these remarkable animals survive the harsh conditions of the far north. The Arctic, a vast and icy wilderness, is home to a diverse array of wildlife uniquely adapted to one of the planet’s most inhospitable environments. Despite its harsh conditions, the Arctic supports an astonishing variety of life, from microscopic plankton to some of the largest predators on Earth. From apex predators like polar bears to tiny seabirds nesting in large colonies, Arctic wildlife has evolved thick fur, clever migratory patterns, and surprising survival tricks. Here are 12 remarkable species that thrive across the tundra, pack ice and cold Arctic waters. Millenia of evolution have prepared Arctic species like the polar bear, walrus and narwhal for life on and around the sea ice. Now their habitat is radically shifting in a matter of decades. Arctic - Wildlife, Mammals, Birds: Animal life in the Arctic, compared with that of warmer parts, is poor in the number of species but often rich in individual numbers.