The Tundra is an expanse of wilderness that is also known for being a treeless plain and is characterized as an environment dominated by strong winds, frigid temperatures and little rain, but that does not mean that there is no life, that is why in this article we will show you what the Animals of the Tundra are.
Characteristics of Tundra Animals
As we have already said, the tundra is a frozen area, in which plant life is very scarce, with very little precipitation and winds that move at high speeds. It is an ecosystem that can be found in three areas of the earth that are the Arctic region, made up of Canada and Alaska mainly; the Alps, where the highest mountains are found and there are no trees; and Antarctica, which includes part of southern South America.
Because of its proximity to the Earth's poles, the tundra has a freezing climate, with temperatures well below zero for much of the year, so there is only one season, which is winter. These temperatures can reach -35°C in the coldest months and in what we could call summer, it does not rise above 10°C. In addition, it is possible to observe that there are continuous snowfalls with blizzards, days without sun and very little precipitation.
The only plants that can subsist in these regions are short plants, which have few flowers and live in a scattered way, like small spaces located between rocks and snow.
Tundra Animals
In relation to the wildlife that inhabits this ecosystem, it is necessary to indicate that these are animal species that are perfectly adapted to the climate due to their skin and the organic possibility they have of storing fat. Many of them are white, which allows them to camouflage themselves in the middle of the snow and, although we think that this is not possible, there are many more species of tundra animals than we suppose.
Some of the animals of the tundra, that have their habitat in one of the most inhospitable places on the planet are:
caribou
Also called reindeer, it is a deer that lives in the northern hemisphere of the planet, and can also be found in taiga. They are characterized because the male animals are larger than the female ones and, although the specimens of both sexes have antlers, in those of the male sex they are longer and have more ramifications.
The coat of the caribou, as in almost all animals of the tundra, was adapted to the environment and is brown with white spots, and is darker and shorter in the summer. It is perfectly adapted to walk without a problem on ice and snow because it has hooves that protrude from its legs. Their behavior varies greatly according to sex, because females are gregarious, which means that they live in groups, while males are anti-gregarious.
the ptarmigan
This bird, which is a relative of chickens, is among the animals of the tundra and lives in the frozen regions of the Arctic, although there are some subspecies that live in the mountain areas of Asia and Europe. The ptarmigan has a length of around 40 centimeters, it has a tail of approximately 10 centimeters and when it has been possible to measure the span of its wings when opened, it has been established that it is 60 centimeters.
Its ability to adapt has made it almost completely white in winter, with thick and voluminous plumage, which is why observing it will make us think that it is more voluminous and larger than it really is.
Another characteristic is that its legs are also covered with feathers and it leaves footprints in the snow that resemble the footprints that other animals of the tundra, such as hares, can leave. It is an animal that is active in the mornings and can only fly short distances.
the lemmings
Among the animals of the tundra is this rodent of the lemino family that lives not only in the tundra, but also in places known as arctic prairies. Its diet is based on roots, herbs and fruits, which it manages to store in a burrow that is built by it.
The lemming is very small, its skin is shades of brown, sand and yellow with a very bright color, and its reproductive cycle, as is the case with all rodents, is quite short, which is why it becomes a large pest in a short period of time.
snowy owl
Also called white owl, it is another of the animals of the tundra, which stands out for its beauty and excellent ability to hunt its prey in mid-flight. Its food consists of small birds, rodents, fish or hares, just like the diet of the lemming.
It is a characteristic of this species that the male is pure white, while the female has dark spots on her feathers. In any case, they manage to camouflage perfectly well between snow and ice. Its length can reach up to 150 centimeters in wingspan with open wings and it has managed to adapt perfectly to the arctic climate.
the polar fox
Among the tundra animals on this list is the beautiful polar fox, which is a canid that can be seen in the mountains of northern Eurasia and North America. It is about 55 centimeters long and weighs approximately three kilos, its fur is greyish-brown during the summer and white during the winter.
In order to prevent heat loss, its ears are very small, and it has a thick and elongated tail; It has a habit of curling up on its tail for warmth when it sleeps. It is interesting that it is one of the few animals that does not hibernate in the winter season, its food consists of small mammals and birds, and it reproduces only in the month of March.
arctic hare
Among the most characteristic tundra animals is the arctic hare, which has also received the name of polar hare, and it is a species of hare that has been able to adapt to survive in very low temperatures.
The arctic hare can be found towards the north of the hemisphere, in regions such as Greenland, Scandinavia, Canada and Alaska. This animal can change the color of its fur, in a fascinating ability to adapt, since during the winter it is white, but in the summer season, its fur is bluish.
the stoat
The stoat is a very small animal, which can measure between 17 and 33 centimeters and weigh between 80 and 500 grams. It can be seen in Canada, the North of the United States and Eurasia. Their diet consists of rodents, insects and small rabbits.
the gray bear
The grizzly bear is classified as a subspecies of the brown bear and can become one of the largest animals in the tundra. This enormous bear has its habitat in Alaska and some regions of Canada. It is also capable of running at high speeds over short distances. Their diet consists mainly of plants, rodents, insects, fish and honey.
the harlequin duck
Harlequin ducks get their name from the colors they display that resemble the clothes worn by harlequin clowns. They have a black plumage, crossed by white lines and in an area of their back they have a reddish color.
the musk ox
Among the animals of the tundra, the musk ox is the hoofed animal whose habitat may be located further north than that of other animals. It has managed to develop an impressive coat of fur, which makes it easy for it to withstand the icy weather very well throughout the year. They can be found in North America as well as in Europe and Asia.
Polar Bear
The polar bear can be defined as an evolutionary adaptation of the common bear, making the Arctic its natural habitat. Its existence in a territory as peculiar as the Arctic and its large size have made it the largest predator in its territory. Another characteristic of the polar bear is that it has managed to develop white fur, a condition that allows it to camouflage itself from its prey when hunting.
As you have seen, the variety of animals in the tundra is fascinating, and the changes they have achieved through evolutionary adaptation to be able to live in such a wild area are absolutely interesting.
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