There are many biological wonders that showcase the remarkable resilience of Antarctic marine life. For example, at any given moment, Antarctic octopuses are rewriting their RNA to endure the cold. The Southern Ocean has been an evolutionary arena for animal adaptation to change, enabling them to persist long-term through Plio-Pleistocene climate fluctuations. Emerging results from recent Australian Antarctic expeditions will deepen our understanding of how past experiences shaped adaptation and evolution. While we continue to explore the extent of which the blueprints of life, i.e. genomes, have primed animals for change, we can leverage evolutionary ecology to further unpack the dimensionality of threats at the genomic level. Then, by focusing on the principle of protecting ecosystem integrity, there are feasible pathways to ensure Antarctic animals – victims of circumstance and masters of their destiny alike – are given their best chance to face existing and emerging threats under the current climate, regardless of uncertainties.