Antarctica is a large land mass buried under a vast ice cap up to 6.5 miles (4 Km.) thick in places. Antarctica’s total area is approximately 7 million square miles in summer, but doubles in size in the winter due to the large amount of sea ice, which forms its periphe.

Antarctica is the fifth largest of the earth’s seven continents. It surrounds the South Pole and is circular in shape with a long arm, the Antarctic Peninsula, reaching out toward South America.

Mosses• Moss - are small, soft plants that

are typically 1–10 cm (0.4–4 in) tall, though some species are much larger. They commonly grow close together in clumps or mats in damp or shady locations. They do not have flowers or seeds, and their simple leaves cover the thin wiry stems. At certain times mosses produce spore capsules which may appear as beak-like capsules borne aloft on thin stalks.

Grasses• Grass - also found on the

Antarctic Peninsula. There are two species of flowering plants that grow on the peninsula - Antarctic hair grass and the Antarctic Pearlwort . They are the only two flowering plants.

Lichen• Lichen - more than 350 species

of lichens are known. They have proliferated in Antarctica because there is little competition from mosses or flowering plants which lack the high tolerance of draught and cold seen in the lichens.

WILDLIFE

• Weddell Seal - the southernmost pinniped in the world. In what is known as reverse sexual dimorphism, males are generally smaller than females. A newborn pup has a coat of long hair, called lanugo, which they will shed within the first month as the protective

layer of blubber is developed.

• Orcas - In the Antarctic, Killer whales live amid pack-ice, but they are said not to extend beyond the ice-line in the Arctic ocean. The Orca exhibits a great tolerance for varying temperatures. This is one of the reasons they enjoy a worldwide distribution.

• Rockhopper Penguins - one of the more ornate penguins, the Rockhopper stands 16- to 18 inches tall and weighs about 5 to 6 pounds. It can be found on subantarctic islands. Its population numbers appear to be stable at about 3.5 million pairs! These birds shake their heads and cause their yellow eyebrows to fly into a "halo" in order to attract a mate!

• Adelie Penguin - the Adelies courtship ceremony begins when the male drops a pebble at the feet of his intended. They begin to fight, but if the female is interested, the fight is very short. Once the mates have been selected, the males commence gathering more pebbles for thier nests. Adelie penguins make their nests out of rocks! Ouch!

• Wandering Albatross - this species of albatross wanders the oceans for months at a time searching for food. It sleeps on the ocean surface at night and drinks seawater. The Wandering albatross is the largest bird in the world in terms of wing span - 11 feet! The Wandering albatross is endangered because of accidental killing of the bird on longlines.

• Emperor Penguin - Emperor penguins, the biggest of the 17 penguin species, stand 3 to 4 feet tall and can weigh as much as 100 pounds! They are the only living species to reproduce during the harsh Antarctic winter. Without a nest, the male keeps the egg warm by holding it on his feet under an abdominal fold of skin for 2 months! Unbelievable! What a Dad!

• Southern Elephant Seal - largest of all pinnepeds. The elephant seal gets its name from the long, curved nose the male acquires around the age of three. The snout plays a significant role in the elephant seal's spectacular breeding ritual. By a process known as a catastrophic molt, elephant seals shed their coats every autumn, sloughing large pieces of hair and skin, and leaving the seal with a ragged and tattered appearance until it grows new, sleek fur!

Reasons for Loss of Habitat

One of the most serious threats hanging over Antarctica is the prospect of the exploitation of its oil and minerals, if commercial deposits are found underground or beneath the sea. There would be risk of oil spills, pollution and an increase of human occupation of the few ice-free areas