Hello, Fellow Bloggers!
I’ve been to many zoos, watching the animals with fascination through glass walls or bars. I always feel a bit sorry for them, as they are unwilling tenants in a world created by humans. In Antarctica, it’s a whole different story. The world is created by nature, and it’s the humans that are the visitors.
My teammates and I have had the unique opportunity to observe wildlife as we are traveling and working on the islands around Palmer Station.
In Wyoming, I learned the term megafauna. It just means, “big animals.” Since almost every animal in Antarctica is bigger than Belgica antarctica (sorry, Dr. Rick. . .) I give you some of my favorite MEGAFAUNA MOMENTS. . .
The Adelie penguin is the classic “little man in a tuxedo.” There are more Adelies than any other type of penguin in the Palmer Station area. Though the colonies look large to me, the number of nesting pairs has massively decreased over the past 30 years. (More about this topic in a future blog. . .) As the climate warms along the Antarctic Peninsula, more and more warm-water penguins, such as Gentoos and Chinstraps, are moving into the area.
photo from Yuta Kawarasaki
This little penguin welcomed us to Palmer the first day we arrived. He was as curious about us as we were about him! Gentoos have a white “bonnet” on their heads, a reddish-orange bill, and stiff, brush-like tail feathers.
photo from Yuta Kawarasaki
Chinstrap penguins are smaller and more slender than Adelies or Gentoos. They have thin black “chinstraps” that cross their chins and run back under their eyes. Chinstraps are mountaineers that choose to live on rocky slopes, and are actually increasing in numbers.
photo from Carolyn Lipke
Of all the birds in Antarctica, the South Polar Skuas would probably be at the bottom of the penguin’s popularity poll. Dark brown and ominous, they stalk the penguin colonies, looking for eggs and chicks to eat. If scientists unwittingly tread too close to a skua nest, the birds will dive-bomb aggressively, swooping down and even grazing the tops of the researcher’s heads.
photo form Caroline Lipke
As we walk to our insect collecting sites on the islands, we often see stark reminders of these fierce predators, and the toll they take on their penguin neighbors.
photo from Alca Kobelkova
We had the rare privilege of watching one of the “birders” check a Southern Giant Petrel nest on Humble island. As the researcher, Donna, measured and weighed the chick, the bond between human and bird was obvious. The gentle mother bird allowed Donna to handle her chick, and Donna trusted the Petrel even though it had a powerful, hooked beak perfect for tearing flesh. Giant Petrels are scavengers that feed off of carrion (dead things) such as whale and penguin carcasses. They often nest near penguins and seals, prefering high rocks from which they can get air under their wings as they take flight. Only researchers with special permits are allowed to touch the animals, as specified in the Antarctic Treaty which sets aside Antarctica as a continent to be used purely for science.
We found this Weddell Seal on Cormorant Island. It is the only one I’ve seen since we arrived. Weddell seals can dive very deeply and stay underwater for over an hour.
The Southern Elephant Seal is the largest seal in the world, with males weighing up to 4 tons. The two seals above were play-fighting as we worked one day at Humble. They would swing their great heads at each other in slow motion, and spar until they got tired. Then they would rest for awhile until the urge to go another round returned. They are practicing for when they become ”beachmasters.” Then their job will be to guard their harem of cows and establish dominance over the other males. The bulls remind me of Archie Bunker. (Sorry, young bloggers — you won’t understand this reference to a male chauvinist character on an old TV show. . .) They snort and fart and make bubbling roars through their large proboscises (noses) which are quite loud and can be heard from great distances. “Edith, bring me another beer!” they seem to bluster.
Crabeater Seals abound around Palmer. They like to lay out on the ice floes outside our dorm rooms. Their faces are dog-like, and their fur is a creamy white in the summer. In January, they will molt to a darker coat. These seals are slim and fast. On land, they can sprint up to 15 mph — as fast as a fit athlete! And, guess what they eat. . . Wrong! Crabeater seals eat krill and other crustaceans. No one seems to know how they got their name.
photo from Rick Lee
Leopard Seals have a spotted coat, which gives them their name. The head of the Leopard Seal looks like a snake, and it can open its mouth really, REALLY wide. Leopard Seals catch penguins in the water, bring them to the surface, and shake them until they turn inside out, making them easier to eat. At Palmer, Leopard Seals have punctured inflatable boats, and I get a little nervous about the way this top predator cruises by the shore, taking a thoughtful look at me as I quickly back away from the water’s edge.
photo from Carolyn Lipke
This whimsical weather vane at Palmer Station is a tribute to what is arguably the most important critter in Antarctica — the krill. This keystone species of shrimp-like marine invertebrates feeds on phytoplankton, and is in turn the prey of almost all of the larger organisms in the sea.
photo from Carolyn Lipke
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Humpback Whales. Humpbacks travel in small groups along the coasts, eating krill and crustaceans in the plankton. (Unfortunately, their predictable routes made them easy prey in the old whaling days, and their numbers are now depleted. . .) Traveling by zodiak at Palmer, sometimes we hear the tell-tale blowing sound of their exhalations before we see the whales themselves.
![palmer_buggers_belgica[1]](http://frozenfly.edublogs.org/files/2011/01/palmer_buggers_belgica1-17qd02b.jpg "palmer_buggers_belgica[1]")
photo from Rick Lee
And last, but definitely not least, comes the animal that occupies my days and has begun to haunt my dreams at night – Belgica antarctica. Cuteness factor off the charts!
Until we blog again, this is Polar Pat, reporting from Palmer Station. . .
By: stanko on January 20, 2011 at 2:37 pm
We should have a penguin for a class pet in that container unit
stanko
By: betteleyp on January 25, 2011 at 8:03 am
Do you mean the autoclave? That would be amusing. It would need to have a place to swim, though. The CFC pool?
Thanks for following,
Mrs. B.
By: Peg Lucas on January 20, 2011 at 7:43 pm
I don’t mean to insult belgica antarctica, but i think it’s time for you to come home if you think its cuteness is off the charts….or is cuteness in the eye of the beholder? The teachers at my school and the kids are really into your blog. Keep it coming! You’re doing awesome!
By: betteleyp on January 25, 2011 at 8:07 am
I will not show Dr. Rick your inflammatory remarks about Belgica.
He always finds them first, while I’m roaming from spot to spot coming up with empty spoons of substrate. He says that they know “who really loves them.” If that’s the case, I must not have much of a bond with the little guys.
Thanks for following,
Pat
By: Jackie Beyer on January 21, 2011 at 5:58 am
Yea!! the animals they are so cool love the seals..thanks for posting them bye
By: betteleyp on January 25, 2011 at 8:08 am
Jackie-
You’re quite welcome. That post was especially or you!
I’ve spent the last few days putting together a movie for you that will be shown at the assembly on Thursday.
I hope you like it!
Mrs. B.
By: noah kuhn on January 21, 2011 at 8:51 pm
that is so cool it is fun down here in perry ohio but not as fun as in antartica getting to see those cool animals ok ill talk to u later by
By: betteleyp on January 25, 2011 at 8:09 am
I’m glad you’re having fun in Perry.
You’re right, Antarctica is unusually cool with so much wildlife right outside the door. I feel very lucky to be here.
Thanks for following,
Mrs. B.
By: Jan Kerek on January 22, 2011 at 9:45 am
My granddaughter, Meredith Joy, born January 20 wants to know how her birth weight compares to a penguin chick. She weighed 7# 12 oz. and was 21 inches long with black curly hair and steely blue eyes.
Her grandparents are so interested in following the adventures of Great Aunt Polar Pat!
By: betteleyp on January 25, 2011 at 8:13 am
Congratulations, grandma! And I guess Michael and Kristin deserve some credit, too. That is wonderful news.
You have actually stumped me on the penguin chick height/weight. I’ll ask one of the “birders” when I see them around.
I have some wonderful pix of the chicks, though. Can’t wait to see YOUR wonderful pix of baby Meredith.
Are you done with your visit to CT? Keep me posted,
Sissy
By: Megan on January 22, 2011 at 10:19 am
Awesome pictures, mom! You and the teams have gotten good close-ups. Can’t wait to see your videos:)
By: betteleyp on January 25, 2011 at 7:32 am
Thanks, Meg. It’s such fun to be working just feet away from the animals, surrounded by the loud squabbling of the penguins (“hold de door, hold de door” they seem to say), chirps of their babies, blusterings of the elephant seals, and aroma of penguin poop!
I’m still a point-and-shoot kind of gal, though Dr. Rick is patient about helping me set up the lighting conditions, etc. Unless I luck out, the really good pictures you’ll see are taken by someone else!
How did you like the movie?
Mum
By: Martha D on January 23, 2011 at 11:40 am
These animals are amazing. How big are the leopard seals, weight wise. would they attempt to eat a human? and have you seen evidence of global warming?
By: betteleyp on January 25, 2011 at 7:40 am
An adult leopard seal can be 11 ft long, and weigh 700-800 lbs. I’ve heard one report of a leopard seal killing a diver at another station. It grabbed her during a dive, and took her down to the ocean floor. In another report, a leopard seal bit the boot of a scientist standing on shore. I don’t know that they eat humans, but I wouldn’t want to get close enough to find out. They are the TOP predators around here. Only killer whales are their natural enemies. Humans have basically left them alone.
There is TONS of evidence of global warming. The temp here has risen 6 degrees C in the last 60 years. The glacier is retreating very quickly, and I have video of the water pouring off in waterfalls. I will devote an entire blog to this topic.
I’ve made a youtube movie. I’ll include the link in my blog soon.
Thanks for following.
Hope all is well,
Pat
By: Bryan Summer on January 23, 2011 at 7:16 pm
I love the penguins, such pride and elegance! How interesting that something as small as the krill are so vital to so many species. Even the mighty whale lives and grows from feasting on such a small meal. Magnificent charismatic megafauna!
Bryan
By: betteleyp on January 25, 2011 at 7:45 am
I think there’s a Native American inspirational quote that goes with your thoughts on the might whale feasting on tiny krill. If not, you definitely need to make one up.
The food web is amazing. Some oceanographers here are studying the water conditions (temp, salinity, etc) in relation to the numbers of krill, penguin diving habits, etc. Populations are changing constantly.
I knew my WY buddies would appreciate the megafauna memories. . .
Thanks for following.
Hope all is well,
Pat
By: Patty McGinnis on January 24, 2011 at 7:24 pm
Can you tell us more about how the “cute” insects are able to survive the polar winters?
By: betteleyp on January 25, 2011 at 7:54 am
That is the million dollar question!
My short answer is: they survive freezing, dehydradtion, and lack of oxygen. They tolerate wide swings in salinity, pH, and temperature. Their growing season is 2 years to give them energy, and adults live only 10 days, mating quickly in the variable summer months. Here’s a website that explains it more clearly.
http://www.units.muohio.edu/cryolab/education/antarcticbestiary_terrestrial.htm
If we video-chat, maybe I could ask Dr. Rick to speak on this topic. I also have some great power points, if you’d like me to send them to you.
Thanks for following, Ms. World Traveler-
the other Pat
By: Peg Lucas on January 26, 2011 at 2:16 pm
Pat,
I’m so sorry to be bearer of bad tidings. I was delighted to get a response to my comment last Friday. My kids were psyched. Unfortunately I also got four others as well. Well, I got sick over the weekend and when I got back to school I see still more responses all sent to me. I know I’m special…but could you possibly be pressing a wrong button? I forwarded the comment to Sabrina. Keep those great blogs coming!!!!