In 1887, the crew of the Belgica set out on a long journey to explore Antarctica. Aboard their ship was a cat named Nansen (named for the famous Norwegian explorer), who kept the men company and presumably kept the place clear of mice.

A few weeks after crossing the Antarctic Circle, the ship became moored in ice and remained that way for nearly a year. Halfway through that long stretch of darkness and despair, Nansen the cat went to that place all cats go one day—maybe because of a severe nutrition deficiency, or maybe because he was sad as hell and ready to leave this planet for good.

I wonder where in Antarctica Nansen the cat is buried. Poor little dude.