Unlike their other squirrel family members found frolicking amongst forests, the Arctic Ground Squirrel inhabits the alpine and Arctic tundra biomes and resides in burrows. Arctic Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus parryii) Their habitat is threatened by melting sea ice due to climate change on top of human activity such as oil and gas drilling. Unlike other bears, polar bears do not hibernate and females will only use dens when giving birth to keep the cubs warm.Īccording to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Their conservation status is vulnerable as of 2015. Polar bears hunt for seals that are near the surface of waters and look for seal dens to find seal pups for food. Their paws are wide and flat to help with walking on the snow and their toes have webbing which makes them an effective swimmer. Their fur is white and hollow, which helps reflect sunlight, but underneath they have black skin.īelow their skin, they have a layer of fat that helps maintain their body heat. Polar bears have numerous adaptations that help them stay warm and camouflage in their snow-white environments. They inhabit the Arctic tundra in Alaska, Canada, Russia, and Greenland. One of the most famous tundra animals is the Polar Bear. You may also like: The 27 Majestic Wolves Species and Where to Find Them: Images + Facts You may also like: The 39 Animals You Can See on the Amazon Rainforest: Complete with Images, Facts, and More! Much of Antarctic wildlife depends on sea life for food as there are only two plant species, Antarctic hair grass and Antarctic pearlwort, that inhabit the biome due to permanent ice and snow coverage. Although it is inhospitable to humans, scientists have set up research stations to study the area and wildlife.ĭespite its uninhabitable characteristics, various species of penguins, seals, birds, whales, and fish live in the Antarctic biome. The continent of Antarctica and sub-Antarctic islands located between Antarctica and the coasts of Australia and New Zealand make up the Antarctic tundra. Smaller trees and other vegetation are more abundant in this biome.Īnimal species, such as the Himalayan Tahr and Snow Leopard, have adapted to the below-freezing temperatures and rugged terrain of the mountains in the alpine tundra. The alpine tundra is fairly different from the Arctic tundra as the alpine tundra biome is located atop mountains at very high altitudes where temperatures drop dramatically. Animals such as the Arctic fox, polar bears, Arctic wolves, lemmings, and Arctic bumblebees live in the Arctic tundra. The tundra has a short growing season that only lasts around two months. Temperatures in the Arctic tundra can reach as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit (-34 degrees Celsius). There are eight countries that have land within the Arctic Circle, including: The Arctic tundra is located above the Arctic Circle in the northernmost part of the Earth. RELATED How To Make A Camping Tent From Scratch: An Emergency Shelter, or For Fun 3 Types of Tundra Biomes Low-lying grasses and plants are able to grow in the tundra due to adaptations that allow them to sprout quickly in the short summer months and provide a source of food for many animal species. Permafrost is caused by long-term below freezing temperatures that do not rise long enough for the underlying ground to thaw. Tundra soil is permafrost, which is a layer of frozen ground underneath the land that prevents plant and tree growth. The tundra biome typically receives no more than 10 inches (25 cm) of precipitation per year, which means the tundra is also considered a desert. During the summer, tundra biomes turn into boggy wetlands from melted ice and snow. The tundra is the coldest biome and experiences harsh winter conditions with temperatures that drop below zero. In this article, we’ll discuss the different animal species that are able to make do with the tundra conditions. Animals that live in the tundra have unique adaptations that help them survive.Īlthough there are not nearly as many animal species in the tundra biome as others, there is still an abundance of life that thrives in the frigid environment. The tundra is home to extraordinary life that is able to withstand the harsh, below zero temperatures of the wintery biome. How Climate Change is Affecting the Tundra.Arctic Woollybear Moth (Gynaephora groenlandica)
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