Animals in Antarctica
Questions from California
Canyon Middle School
Joyce Burtch, Teacher
sjburtch@tower.nersc.gov
Dear David,
What kinda animals are out in Antartica? If you don't remember what is out here you are funny. Are there pinguins, polar bears, and seals out there? How cold is it out in Anartica?
from,
Jamie Hunihan
Hi Jamie,
Last summer I saw lots of seals laying on the ice, but it is almost too early for them now. I have only seen a few in the last 6 months. For a few weeks last fall, the ice moved out of the McMurdo sound, and we had Adelie and Emperor penguins visit the area. About the same time, we had a few whales swimming in the sound. There are no polar bears here, they are in the Arctic. I do not know of any land animals here. All the animals I have seen live near or in the water.
It is spring here now, and the temperatures are warming up. It is presently a warm -6F.
Dave
I am writing to ask you about the different types of animals in Antarctica. What kind do you see if any? I want to know about them because I like animals. I heard about you from my teacher Mrs. Burtch. Please write back.
From,
Chris Wallis
Last summer I saw lots of seals laying on the ice, but I have only seen a few in the last 6 months. For a few weeks last fall, the ice moved out of the McMurdo sound, and we had Adelie and Emperor penguins visit the area. About the same time, we had a few whales swimming in the sound. In the summer, we have Skuas visit the town. They are big birds that look like sea gulls.
Dave
Hi I am Chester Chan. I live in Castro Valley, California and I am 12. I attend Canyon Middle School, California and I am 12. I attend Canyon Middle School in Castro Valley, California. I have a few questions I want to ask you about living in Antarctica. First, I want to ask you are there any animals in Antarctica and did you see any? Second, what do you eat when it is that cold? Third, Do you just live in a regular tent or a special tent? Fourth, what was you hottest day in Antarctica? Fifth, is there any season there? If there is what season are you in now? Finally where do you get all your food from? I hope you can answer my questions. Thanks!
Chester Chan
I have seen seals, whales, and skuas. We get a wide variety of food served in a cafeteria. I do not live in a tent, but a dormitory room. The warmest temperatures I have seen were near 40 degrees. It is currently Spring, and the temperatures are warming up. Today it is -6F. We have a greenhouse for a small amount of fresh food. The heavy food like canned and frozen food is brought in once a year by ship. Fresh food is brought in during the summer on the transport planes.
Dave
On September 14 , you wrote a response to a kid who was asking you if plants could grow in Antarctica for class project about seeing if plants could grow in cold places like Mars. You said that no plants grew in Antarctica except for whats in a green house. But actually plankton and algae can grow in Antarctica and since both are plants that means that plants can grow in cold places. Just thought I would tell. So, is there plankton and algae there?
From,
Chris Wallis
Canyon Middle school
I do not know if plankton or algae are here, possibly in the water. I feel I properly answered the question, please read it again. The question was prefaced by the statement "Our class is studying the problems associated with settling people on Mars." I answered it from the idea of growing plants for food to sustain a settlement. I do not eat algae nor plankton.
Dave
David Hess NK3T