Living in the Arctic means enduring harsh conditions including freezing temperatures, strong winds, and periods of extended daylight or darkness depending on the time of year. Despite these conditions, there are still many organisms that call the Arctic home. In the Arctic, some of the iconic vertebrates (organisms that have a backbone) include marine mammals like polar bears, narwhals, and walruses, to name a few. Above the water there are several species of Arctic birds and under the ice live numerous fish species, all well adapted to life in this cold environment.