Exploring the polar regions today

Life in the Arctic wilderness is harsh and deadly. Yet many amazing animals survive and thrive there. Although polar bears are the most well-known, marine mammals of many kinds live in the icy oceans. As the land around the Arctic Circle becomes threatened by climate change and more, this rich animal life faces a host of perils. Inside, read more about them and find out how conservationists are trying to stem the tide of danger.

The Antarctic is almost nothing but ice. Amid this frozen wasteland, however, animal life can survive. Penguins of many kinds live in these icy Southern regions, while the seas around the continent teem with marine life. The islands near the bottom of the world are home to a diverse group of birds, too. But growing interest in the Antarctic is bring peril to wildlife. Inside, read how experts are trying to make sure penguins and their fellow animals survive.

The lure of discovery and adventure has long attracted hardy souls to the North hand South Poles. For more than a century, using dogsleds, animal skins, and wooden ships, explorers tried to reach the top and bottom of the Earth. Their sometimes-deadly treks become international legends. With today's modern methods, exploration of these vast regions continues. Inside, meet the brave people who first heard the call of the ice, as well as the modern experts who strive to add to these early discoveries.