The Arctic Ocean spends much of the year covered with solid ice. However, recent research shows that ice cap is shrinking, the same way the Antarctic ice cap is shrinking. This lets more heat get to the water of the Arctic Ocean, which will eventually change the planets weather patterns.

There are many animals that live on and under the ice - polar bears are probably the most familiar to most people. They spend their winters on the ice. There are not many plants, other than some algae.

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