The ivory gull is like the Arctic’s own little ghost bird—pure white feathers that make it look like it drifted out of a snowstorm. Unlike other gulls that squabble over French fries at the beach, this one feasts on seal scraps left behind by polar bears. They spend their whole lives in icy places, proving that some birds actually do love winter forever. Think of them as the VIP guests at the Arctic’s never-ending snow party.

Mike_68

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The snowy owl is basically the Arctic’s superstar, dressed in fluffy white feathers that look like a winter coat straight off the runway. With eyes as yellow as highlighters, they can spot a lemming from way across the tundra no glasses required. Unlike most owls, snowy owls are daytime hunters, which makes them the early birds and the night owls of the bird world. If Harry Potter had picked this owl instead of Hedwig, Hogwarts might have had a much louder, sassier mascot.

sharkolot

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The playful Harp Seal resides in the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans. Harp Seals are able to swim in waters that are below freezing temperatures. Harp seals are able to slow down their hearts to conserve oxygen and remain under water longer. Unfortunately, they are prey to Polar Bears, Killer Whales, and even large sharks. 

Hotel Kaesong

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Native to North America, the Snowshoe Hare has fur that changes color with the seasons. Their large fury feet allow them to walk in thick snow without sinking. You will regret learning this, but the Snowshoe Hare has the ability to digest its own feces. This ability is known as coprophagy. 

Denali National Park and Preserve

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This fox can be found in the Arctic regions of Asia, Europe, and North America. During the summer months, its fur will change to a gray or brown color enabling it to blend with the season. The Arctic Fox can withstand temperatures as low as -94° F (-70° C). 

Eric Kilby

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Residing in Antarctica, the Emperor Penguin is the largest species of penguin in the world. This penguin can dive as deep as 1,640 feet (500 meters). The female will leave for several months in search of food. During this time, the male will incubate the egg for up to two months, relying on nothing but its fat reserves. 

Christopher Michel

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This puffball is found in the northern regions of North America and Eurasia. The Collared Lemming  has a dense coat that changes colors depending on the season. During the winter the coat will become completely white. Their paws have fur on the bottom of them just like little UGGs.

Sebastian Moser

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The Ermine or Stoat, changes between brown and white depending on the season. Much like a legged-worm, they are great at climbing and digging. One well known attribute about the Ermine is its incredible energy levels. It is seriously one rambunctious critter.

USFWS Mountain Prairie 

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 Tucked away in the frozen corners of Northern Canada lives one of nature's shyest snow ninjas, the Peary Caribou. Built to blend into snowbanks, survive Arctic blizzards, and quietly munch on frozen moss like it's fine dining. It keeps a low profile; think of it as the introvert of the deer world. Don't be fooled by this little legend; it digs through snow with its hooves, builds snow caves to nap, and thrives. 

Tomáš Malik

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The musk ox is basically a walking fur coat with horns built to survive Arctic blizzards like it's no big deal. Covered in ultra warm qiviut wool, it looks like a prehistoric linebacker who forgot to shave. These shaggy beasts can headbutt through snow to reach frozen grass, because salad still on the menu even at -40°C. Despite their bulky size, musk oxen are surprisingly social forming tight-knit herds that circle up when threatened like a furry Viking shield wall. In short big, hairy and weirdly wholesome.

AnnaPersson

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Snow leopards are basically mountain ghosts so stealthy that even wildlife cameras do double takes. They can leap 50 feet in one bound  and their thick tail isn’t just for balance it’s also their built-in scarf for snow naps. Despite their fierce look, they meow like house cats but don't try to pet one unless you want to become part of the food chain.

Pixel-mixer

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Yaks (Bos grunniens) are cold-weather champs with wooly coats and lungs made for high altitudes. Instead of mooing, they grunt like a cow with attitude. Their milk is thick, their fur is thicker and they look like nature’s version of a walking winter blanket. Basically, yaks are just mountain cows with better cardio

sarangib

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Don’t let the fuzzy face fool you the wolverine is like nature’s tiny, angry superhero. About the size of a medium dog, it can chase off bears from a meal and survive freezing blizzards like it’s on vacation. It smells really bad, though so bad that its nickname is “skunk bear.” Wolverine's love digging up frozen leftovers like it's a gourmet buffet, no microwave required. Tough, stubborn and always on the move, the wolverine is the ultimate wild snow warrior

Antranias

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Weddell seals are expert divers, holding their breath for over 80 minutes and diving as deep as 600 meters basically the free-diving champs of Antarctica. They "sing" underwater using strange, spacey sounds that make them sound like aliens trying to start a band. To keep breathing holes open in the ice, they gnaw at it with their teeth no tools, just pure seal determination. Despite their chunky, sleepy appearance they're tough as ice-covered nails. Think of them as the Arctic’s most underrated badasses in fur coats.

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