* Extremely low temperatures: Winter temperatures can drop below -40°C (-40°F) and even reach -90°C (-130°F) in Antarctica.
* Permanent ice and snow cover: Glaciers, ice sheets, and sea ice dominate the landscape.
* Limited sunlight: The sun remains low on the horizon for much of the year, resulting in long periods of darkness and cold.
* Harsh winds: Strong winds can further chill the air and create wind chills that make it feel much colder.
* Unique adaptations: Organisms living in these harsh environments have evolved special adaptations to survive the extreme cold, such as thick layers of blubber, fur, or feathers.
While both the Arctic and Antarctic are extremely cold, the Antarctic is generally considered the coldest habitat on Earth due to its higher altitude, further distance from the equator, and the presence of a massive ice sheet.
