28th June 2023
June 21st in Antarctica. The sun did not rise; it was night for 24 hours and the temperature was less than -50°C.
How do penguins keep warm ?
Percival Penguin couldn’t sleep, he had many penguin problems that kept him awake, so he went for a walk.
Penguins like walking some can walk up to _______ miles.
Really, Percival was in love with Heather Penguin and he wanted to find a lovely heart-shaped rock to give to her.
Why do male penguins give rocks to female penguins ?
However, he couldn’t see where he was and suddenly … he fell, and kept falling and falling, down and down.
When he stopped falling, he stood up and saw
“Oh la la ! Where am I ?” he cried. The night was gone, it was sunny and it was really, really hot, at least 12°C. However, there was a huge white monster. Percival was scared but curious.
Just then, Percival saw another amazing sight – a bird that could fly ! That was impossible !
Penguins are birds but can’t fly – why not ?
“Upon my soul, what have we here ?” said the new friend.
“My name is Percival Penguin, please to meet you. Can you tell me where am I ? I need to meet my Heather.”
Just then a new friend appeared and asked, “Does your Heather wear leather in hot weather or only feathers ?” This was Di O’Nisiss, another strange creature.
Poor Percival was perplexed, he didn’t know where he was or who these animals were. The white bird flew down next to him.
“Hello, I am Athena. I’m a snowy owl. Di O’Nisiss is a reindeer and that,” pointing with her wing, “Is Erik Polar bear.”
Penguins never meet polar bears – why not ?
“The white monster ?”
“He isn’t white, he’s brown,” corrected Di O’Nisiss
Why are white polar bears actually brown ?
“I think Percival, you are very far from home. Welcome to the Arctic. How did you get here ?”
“I’m not sure. One minute I was walking, the next I fell and fell and fell …”
“He found a teleport,” said Di O’Nisiss. “Are you hungry ?”
“Oh, yes, I would love to eat some ______ ”
What do penguins eat ?
“Shall we go for a swim ?” Percival asked Athena.
“A swim ?” replied Athena, “Are you loco ? Birds don’t swim they fly”
Percival was very confused.
“What a crazy place ! Birds fly but don’t swim, white bears are brown, night is day, cold is hot. Everything is upside down.”
“Well,” answered Athena, “Everything IS upside down. Let’s get some lunch then we will tell you all about the Arctic … and you can tell us about the Antarctic.”
NOW … your turn
Finish the story. You may write and draw a comic if you wish. How does Percival get back to the Antarctic and does he find a rock for Heather.
First some facts you need to include:
The Arctic is sea surrounded by land.
The Antarctic is land surrounded by sea.
| North Pole | South Pole | |
| Where? | At sea – 700km to nearest land | Inland – 1,300km to nearest sea |
| Height | Up to 2m above sea-level | 2,835m above sea-level |
| 21st June | Midsummer, 24hr. light | Midwinter, 24hr. dark |
| 21st December | Midwinter, 24hr. dark | Midsummer, 24hr. light |
| Is there a physical marker | No, it would drift off in a few hours | Yes, moves 10m a year |
| Temperature | +13°C to -43°C | -12.3°C to -62°C |
The Arctic region contains plains, mountains, rivers and lakes, hills, and tundra. Tundra has no trees but lots of grass and plants, so has food for animals. Antarctica is 98% ice.
The Arctic has many large land animals including reindeer, musk ox, lemmings, arctic hares, snowy owls, squirrels, arctic fox and polar bears. The sea has walrus, seals and some whales.
The largest land animal in the Antarctic is an insect, a wingless midge, less than 1.3cm long. There are no flying insects. Apart from penguins, there are also seals.
About 4 million people live permanently in the Arctic region. Nobody lives permanently in Antarctica.
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Thay Paul's Notes 