The tundra is a biome where low temperatures and short growing seasons result in sparse tree cover on land. The world has three types of tundra: Arctic Tundra, Alpine Tundra, and Antarctic Tundra. Each of these tundra types is characterized by a unique set of flora and fauna that have adapted to survive in harsh conditions.
Top 10 Animals in the Tundra
In this article, we will explore 10 animals that live in the tundra, and learn about their features, behaviors, and threats. These animals are:
- Polar Bear
- Antarctic Penguin
- Arctic Fox
- Caribou
- Snowy Owl
- Arctic Hare
- Musk Ox
- Himalayan Tahr
- Mountain Goat
- Pika
Polar Bear
The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is the largest and most powerful predator in the Arctic tundra. It lives on the sea ice and along the coasts of Alaska, Canada, Russia, Greenland, Norway, and Svalbard. It feeds mainly on seals, but also scavenges on carcasses of whales, walruses, and other animals.
The polar bear has a thick layer of fat and a dense coat of white fur that insulate it from the cold. It also has large paws with fur and claws that help it walk on the slippery ice and snow. The polar bear can swim for long distances and dive underwater to catch its prey.
The polar bear is threatened by global warming, which reduces the extent and duration of the sea ice that it depends on for hunting and resting. Other threats include oil spills, pollution, poaching, and human disturbance.
Antarctic Penguin
The Antarctic penguin is a group of penguin species that live in and around the Antarctic tundra. The most common penguins in this region are:
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Adelie Penguin
- King Penguin
- Macaroni Penguin
- Emperor Penguin
- Gentoo Penguin
- Chinstrap Penguin
These penguins have a black-and-white plumage that helps them blend in with the snow and water. They have a layer of fat and feathers that keep them warm in the freezing temperatures. They also have webbed feet and flippers that enable them to swim fast and dive deep.
The Antarctic penguin feeds on fish, krill, squid, and other marine animals. It breeds in large colonies on land or ice, where it builds nests with stones, pebbles, or snow. It protects its eggs and chicks from predators such as skuas, leopard seals, and killer whales.
The Antarctic penguin is threatened by climate change, which affects the availability of food and nesting sites. Other threats include overfishing, oil spills, pollution, and human disturbance.
Arctic Fox
The Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) is a small and agile carnivore that lives in the Arctic tundra. It ranges across Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Scandinavia, Russia, and some islands in the Arctic Ocean. It feeds on lemmings, voles, hares, birds, eggs, insects, berries, and carrion.
The Arctic fox has a thick fur that changes color with the seasons. In winter, it is white or blue-gray to blend in with the snow and ice. In summer, it is brown or gray to match the tundra vegetation. It also has small ears, short legs, and a bushy tail that help it conserve heat.
The Arctic fox can survive in temperatures as low as -50°C (-58°F). It digs burrows in the ground or snow to shelter from the wind and cold. It also caches food in its burrows for later use.
The Arctic fox is threatened by global warming, which reduces the snow cover and alters the prey availability. Other threats include hunting, trapping, diseases, and competition with red foxes.
Caribou
The caribou (Rangifer tarandus) is a large herbivore that lives in the Arctic tundra. It is also known as reindeer in Europe and Asia. It inhabits Alaska, Canada, Russia, Scandinavia, and some islands in the Arctic Ocean. It feeds on lichens, grasses, mosses, and shrubs.
The caribou has a thick coat of fur that varies in color from brown to gray to white. It also has large hooves that spread out to support its weight on snow and ice. It has long antlers that are used for defense and display.
The caribou migrates long distances between its summer and winter ranges, following the seasonal changes in food and weather. It travels in large herds that can number in the thousands. It faces predators such as wolves, bears, and humans.
The caribou is threatened by global warming, which affects the quality and quantity of its food and habitat. Other threats include oil and gas development, mining, logging, roads, and poaching.
Snowy Owl
The snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) is a large and majestic bird of prey that lives in the Arctic tundra. It ranges across Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Scandinavia, Russia, and some islands in the Arctic Ocean. It feeds on lemmings, voles, hares, birds, and fish.
The snowy owl has a white plumage that helps it camouflage in the snow and ice. It also has yellow eyes, a black beak, and black talons. It has a wingspan of up to 1.5 meters (5 feet) and can fly up to 80 km/h (50 mph).
The snowy owl is active during the day and night, depending on the availability of prey and light. It nests on the ground or on cliffs, where it lays up to 11 eggs. It defends its nest from predators such as foxes, wolves, and eagles.
The snowy owl is threatened by global warming, which reduces the population of lemmings and other prey. Other threats include hunting, trapping, collisions with power lines and vehicles, and human disturbance.
Arctic Hare
The Arctic hare (Lepus arcticus) is a small and fast herbivore that lives in the Arctic tundra. It is found in Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and some islands in the Arctic Ocean. It feeds on grasses, mosses, lichens, and woody plants.
The Arctic hare has a thick fur that changes color with the seasons. In winter, it is white to blend in with the snow and ice. In summer, it is gray or brown to match the tundra vegetation. It also has long ears, short legs, and a short tail that help it conserve heat.
The Arctic hare can run up to 60 km/h (37 mph) to escape from predators such as foxes, wolves, lynxes, and owls. It lives in groups of up to 200 individuals that huddle together for warmth and protection. It digs burrows in the snow or ground to shelter from the cold.
The Arctic hare is threatened by global warming, which affects the availability of food and shelter. Other threats include hunting, trapping, diseases, and habitat loss.
Musk Ox
The musk ox (Ovibos moschatus) is a large and shaggy herbivore that lives in the Arctic tundra. It inhabits Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Norway, Russia, and some islands in the Arctic Ocean. It feeds on grasses, sedges, willows, and other plants.
The musk ox has a thick coat of fur that consists of two layers: a long outer layer that hangs down to the ground and a short inner layer that insulates it from the cold. It also has curved horns that are used for defense and display. It has a musky odor that gives it its name.
The musk ox lives in herds of up to 40 individuals that are led by a dominant male. It forms a defensive circle around its young when threatened by predators such as wolves, bears, and humans. It can charge at speeds of up to 40 km/h (25 mph).
The musk ox is threatened by global warming, which reduces the quality and quantity of its food and habitat. Other threats include hunting, poaching, diseases, and hybridization with domestic cattle.
Himalayan Tahr
The Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) is a medium-sized herbivore that lives in the alpine tundra of the Himalayas. It ranges across Nepal, India, China, and Pakistan. It feeds on grasses, shrubs, herbs, and lichens.
The Himalayan tahr has a thick fur that varies in color from reddish-brown to dark gray. It also has a mane of long hair that covers its neck and chest. It has curved horns that are used for defense and display.
The Himalayan tahr lives in groups of up to 20 individuals that are led by an old female. It climbs steep slopes and rocky cliffs with ease using its hooves and balance. It faces predators such as leopards, snow leopards, wolves, and eagles.
The Himalayan tahr is threatened by habitat loss due to deforestation, agriculture, mining, and tourism. Other threats include hunting, poaching
Mountain Goat
The mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) is a medium-sized herbivore that lives in the alpine tundra of North America. It ranges across Alaska, Canada, and some parts of the United States. It feeds on grasses, sedges, forbs, and woody plants.
The mountain goat has a thick coat of white fur that helps it blend in with the snow and rocks. It also has black horns that are used for defense and display. It has cloven hooves that are adapted for climbing steep and rugged terrain.
The mountain goat lives in groups of up to 20 individuals that are led by an old female. It migrates seasonally between high and low elevations, following the availability of food and shelter. It faces predators such as cougars, bears, wolves, and eagles.
The mountain goat is threatened by habitat loss due to mining, logging, road construction, and recreation. Other threats include hunting, poaching, diseases, and climate change.
Pika
The pika (Ochotona spp.) is a small and cute herbivore that lives in the alpine tundra of Asia and North America. There are about 30 species of pika, such as:
- American Pika
- Collared Pika
- Plateau Pika
- Royle’s Pika
- Daurian Pika
These pika have a brown or gray fur that helps them camouflage in the rocks and vegetation. They have round ears, short legs, and a short tail that help them conserve heat. They have sharp teeth that enable them to cut and chew plants.
The pika feeds on grasses, flowers, seeds, and fruits. It collects and stores food in piles called haystacks for winter use. It lives in colonies of up to 100 individuals that communicate with each other using high-pitched calls.
The pika is threatened by global warming, which reduces the snow cover and vegetation that it depends on for survival. Other threats include predation by foxes, weasels, hawks, and owls.
Conclusion
The tundra is a fascinating biome that hosts a variety of animals that have adapted to the cold and barren environment. These animals face many challenges and threats from natural and human factors. They need our protection and conservation to ensure their survival and well-being.
Most Asked Questions and Answers
Here are some common questions and answers about the animals in the tundra:
Q: What is the difference between Arctic tundra and Antarctic tundra?
A: The Arctic tundra is located in the northern hemisphere around the North Pole. The Antarctic tundra is located in the southern hemisphere around the South Pole. The Arctic tundra has more biodiversity than the Antarctic tundra, which only has two native land animals: penguins and seals.
Q: What is the difference between alpine tundra and arctic tundra?
A: The alpine tundra is located at high altitudes on mountains around the world. The arctic tundra is located at low latitudes on flat lands around the Arctic Ocean. The alpine tundra has more precipitation than the arctic tundra, which is mostly dry.
Q: What are some adaptations of animals in the tundra?
A: Some adaptations of animals in the tundra are:
Thick fur or feathers to insulate them from the cold.
White or gray coloration to blend in with the snow and ice.
Large paws or hooves to walk on the snow and ice.
Long migrations or hibernation to cope with seasonal changes.
Social behavior or solitary lifestyle to increase survival chances.
Q: What are some threats to animals in the tundra?
A: Some threats to animals in the tundra are:
Global warming, which reduces the snow cover and ice extent that many animals depend on for hunting, resting, breeding, and sheltering.
Habitat loss, which reduces the area and quality of land that many animals need for food and shelter.
Human activities, such as oil and gas development, mining, logging, road construction, tourism, hunting, poaching, pollution, and disturbance.
Q: How can we help protect animals in the tundra?
A: Some ways we can help protect animals in the tundra are:
Reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by using renewable energy sources, driving less, recycling more, planting trees, etc.
Supporting conservation organizations that work to protect wildlife habitats, monitor animal populations, raise awareness, educate people, etc.
Respecting wildlife laws and regulations that prohibit or limit hunting, poaching, trapping, and harassing of animals in the tundra.
Learning more about the animals in the tundra and sharing our knowledge with others.
Q: What are some fun facts about animals in the tundra?
A: Some fun facts about animals in the tundra are:
The polar bear can smell a seal from 32 km (20 miles) away.
The emperor penguin can dive up to 565 m (1,850 ft) deep and hold its breath for 22 minutes.
The arctic fox can change its fur color from white to brown or gray depending on the season.
The caribou can travel up to 5,000 km (3,100 miles) in a year, the longest migration of any land animal.
The snowy owl can turn its head 270 degrees in either direction.
The arctic hare can jump up to 2 m (6.5 ft) high and 3 m (10 ft) long.
The musk ox can survive in temperatures as low as -40°C (-40°F).
The Himalayan tahr can climb slopes of up to 60 degrees.
The mountain goat can balance on ledges as narrow as 5 cm (2 inches).
The pika can make up to 14,000 trips to collect food for its haystack.
Q: What are some myths or misconceptions about animals in the tundra?
A: Some myths or miscon