Transcript Animals of the Tundra

Tundra is described as an area where levels of subsoil beneath the surface of the earth
are permanently frozen. This soil is referred to as permafrost. The level of earth
above the permafrost will thaw in the short summer allowing plants to grow. This
level will then freeze again in the winter and most of the plants will go dormant. The
permafrost makes it difficult or impossible for trees to root down into the ground, so
one of the characteristics of tundra is that it is often treeless and the land appears
barren. Another characteristic of tundra is that it, like deserts, receives little
precipitation. Tundra will also reach extremely frigid temperatures, especially in the
winter when it receives little to no sunlight. Tundra has two variations, Arctic Tundra
and Alpine Tundra. Arctic Tundra can be found near or north of the Arctic circle
around the north pole. Alpine Tundra can be found at various latitudes on earth but is
located at high altitudes on mountains where trees do not grow. Areas that have
arctic tundra include: northern Alaska, northern Canada, Greenland, northern Russia,
and parts of the Scandinavian Peninsula (Norway, Sweden and Finland). Alpine tundra
occurs throughout much of the world at high altitudes, generally beginning between
10,000 and 11,000 feet. Alpine tundra has similar conditions to arctic tundra including
plant types and treeless terrain. Plant types of the alpine tundra include small shrubs
and lichens.
The Geographic location of the Tundra is that it is located in the
North Pole of North America and it is also in Europe and Asia.
The tundra climate is a transitional climate
between the Subarctic and Ice cap climates. It is a
region of rolling to nearly level terrain almost
entirely devoid of trees. Polar climates like the
tundra are characterized by very cold
temperatures and generally dry conditions.
Temperatures never rise above 10o C (50oF) during
the summer. The tundra located near the Arctic
and Antarctic Circle, experiences times when the
Sun never rises above the horizon.
Ice mounds in the Alaskan tundra. Ice mounds
are a product of ground heave caused by
alternating freezing and thawing of permafrost
It is so cold in the tundra that permafrost,
permanently frozen ground, is a prominent
feature. Near the surface the "active" layer
thaws during the summertime and
subsides or moves down slope. During the
winter, the surface heaves as it refreezes.
The alternating freeze-thaw cycles make it
difficult to build structures on such a
surface. Geographic Distribution
The Calliergon giganteum grows in the arctic
tundra which is a harsh cold environment in
the Northern Hemisphere within the arctic
circle. Arctic Moss is a water plant that grows
in the bottom of lake beds. They have rhizoids
instead of roots. Some years this plant will not
grow more than a centimeter. When this plant
is not growing it stores energy to make new
leaves in the right season.
Salix arctica whose common name
is Arctic willow or rock willow can
be found in the North American
tundra. This is also a plant that
adapts to the tundra by being also
cold and not needing a lot of water.
Bearberry is a low growing
evergreen. It has a stem that rises
2-8" off the ground and is covered
in a thick bark and fine silky hairs.
Bearberry is commonly found in dry, non-nutrient soils such as
sand, soils on rock outcrops and shallow soils. These plants can
survive in the Tundra because they grow in unnutrient dry areas,
and they have silky hairs that help keep them warm.
Caribou moss grows in arctic and northern regions
around the world. It grows on the ground and on
rocks. It looks like a foamy, gray-green spongy mass,
and grows to be 1 to 4 inches high. Lichen can
survive for long periods of time without water. They
just dry out and go dormant when there is little
water or light. They can begin to grow again even
after very long periods of dormancy.
The twigs on a willow are soft, slender, and they
bend easily. A willow has thin branches. The
leaves are narrow and grow alternately on the
branch. Some leaves have serrated edges.
This Plant grows next to the
ground and saves water.
The Labrador tea plant grows to be 4 to 5 feet. It will
grow up straight in the southern latitudes of the
tundra, but in the colder northern latitudes it will
creep over the ground forming a carpet. Bees are
attracted to the flowers, but animals don't eat them
because they are said to be slightly poisonous.
Pasque flower is a pretty tundra plant. It is a member of the
Ranunculaceae family, which is Latin for little frog. The name
was given to the family because a group of plants in this family
grow where frogs live. The Pasque flower, like all tundra plants,
grows low to the ground to keep out of the cold climate. It is
also covered in fine silky hairs, which help insulate it.
Tufted Saxifrage is a small perennial that grow in
thick mats on the tundra. It has several straight
flower stems which can get 3-15 cm high. The
leaves are rigid and very hairy and only 5-10 mm
long. Their tips divide into 3 globes. The Saxifrage
has a well-developed underground root system
forstoring carbohydrates, so that they can
respond quickly to the cold weather of the tundra
Polar Bears can be found in the northern areas of
Canada, Alaska, Russia and Norway. They are also
located in various parts of Greenland. Polar Bears'
diets consist mainly of seals. Polar Bears will use a
variety of tactics while hunting seals, and these
tactics will usually involve stealth and patience. Polar
Bears will occasionally feed on other animals
including walruses. Polar Bears will also sometimes
feed on the carcases of dead whales. Polar Bears are
often located near areas of water and ice floes where
their favorite food - seals - can be found.
Polar Bears are among the largest land mammals on earth. Males
can weigh between 700 - 1400 pounds and stand between 8 - 10
feet tall. Females are smaller than males, with weights averaging
350 - 700 pounds
The Caribou, or Reindeer, is located in northern
countries such as Canada, Russia, Greenland, Finland,
Norway and Sweden. It can also be found in the state
of Alaska. The diet of the Caribou varies as the seasons
change. In the summertime, when vegetation is more
plentiful, Caribou will feed on a variety of plants
including willow leaves. In the wintertime, Caribou will
use their hooves to dig through snow to get to moss
and other lichens that lie beneath the arctic surface.
Caribou are migratory animals and are known for mass
migrations across the tundra in search of food. Caribou
are well adapted to living in the tundra with thick fur
and skin that enable them to enter frigid rivers while
migrating. Female Caribou will weigh about 200
pounds, and can weigh as little as 180 pounds as
adults. Males weigh about twice as much on average
but can weigh up to as much as 600 pounds. Caribou
will stand from 35 - 55 inches at the shoulder.
The Arctic Fox is circumpolar and can be found
throughout the Arctic region. This includes parts of
Canada, Russia, Greenland, Iceland Scandinavia,
Svalbard, and Alaska. Arctic Foxes' diets consist of
small mammals including voles and lemmings, as well
as on birds and their eggs. Arctic Foxes are
opportunistic and will sometimes scavenge on dead
carcasses of animals, and they are often seen
following Polar Bears to feed on the leftovers the
bears leave behind. Arctic Foxes will also eat some
vegetation such as berries. Like many foxes, the Arctic
Fox builds a den. For the Arctic Fox the den can
sometimes be in a hillside or river bank, and will
usually have multiple entrances and exits. The Arctic
Fox can be found in arctic or alpine tundra. The Arctic
Fox measures 3 - 3.5 feet in length from head to
tail. The weight of the Arctic Fox can range from 6 - 9
pounds, with females being smaller than males
The Arctic Hare is located in extreme northern Canada
and various parts of Greenland. The Arctic Hare's diet
consists of buds, berries, twigs, mosses, woody plants
and other types of vegetation that can be found in the
Arctic Hares can be found in various tundra areas of
Greenland and northern Canada. They will sometimes
forage shelters in the snow to help them survive the
extremely cold temperatures of the tundra. The average
length of an Arctic Hare is about 20 - 26 inches. Their
weight will usually be between 8 and 14 pounds. Arctic
Hares have an all white coat in the winter, and in the
summer the coat may change to a blue-gray or graybrown coat. Arctic Hares will mate in early spring and
the female will give birth to a litter usually in June or
early July.
The Snowy Owl is circumpolar and can be found in Alaska,
Canada, Greenland, Russia, and many areas north of the
Arctic Circle. It has a wide distribution area and will at
times migrate to areas south of the Arctic Circle. There
have been reports of Snowy Owls in Ireland, China, and as
far south as Texas and Georgia. Snowy Owls will most
often feed on small rodents including lemmings and
voles. Rabbits are another staple of the Snowy Owl's
diet. The owls are opportunistic and will also feed on
other types of birds such as ptarmigans as well as bird
eggs of larger birds. Snowy Owls will build their nests on
the ground, typically in a higher place than the
surrounding land so that they will have good visibility to
predators and prey. Snowy Owls are among the largest
owls in the Arctic as well as North America. They range
from 1.75 - 2 feet in length and have a wingspan of 4.5 5.5 feet. Snowy Owls are white with dark spots, and the
amount of spots will vary from owl to owl
The Musk Ox can be found in various locations
throughout northern Canada, Greenland, Alaska,
Norway, Sweden and Russia. At one point they were
eradicated in Alaska, Norway, Sweden and Russia, but
have since been successfully re-introduced to some
areas in those countries. Musk Oxen are vegetarian
and will eat much of the vegetation that is available in
the tundra. This includes willow shoots, lichens,
grasses and shrubs. Musk Oxen are roaming animals
that live in herds. A herd will often remain in a
certain range where it will have access to food and
water, and will roam within that range throughout the
seasons to locate those resources. Musk Oxen will
reach lengths between 6 and 7.5 feet and have a
shoulder height between 4 and 5 feet. Their weight
can vary from 400 to 900 pounds.
The rock ptarmigan is circumpolar and can be
found in many areas north of the Arctic Circle,
including countries such as Russia, Sweden,
Canada, Iceland and Greenland. In some
instances they may be found further south in
places like Japan. Adult ptarmigans will feed on
leaves, flowers, berries, buds, twigs and other
types of vegetation. Young ptarmigan chicks will
also be fed insects in addition to vegetation. Rock
ptarmigans can often be found in elevated, rocky,
sloped areas of the tundra. Females and chicks
may prefer areas with brush to protect them from
predators, while males may prefer open, barren
areas to assist them in locating predators and
other ptarmigans. Rock ptarmigans measure
between 12 - 16 inches in length. The Rock
ptarmigans may molt several times a year and will
change colors when it does so.
The Adaptations of the Animals of the Biome Tundra
are that its that they all have thick coats to cover
them from the cold. These Animals all have different
colors of fur and that happens because of the
weather. They also need them so they can camouflage
from predators. They also have the adaptations of
living in the cold and of not drinking that much water.
They are also adapted to eat other animals so they
can survive. All these animals have to eat other
animals so they can survive, others eat plants that
grow in the Tundra.
The tallest life zone, the alpine tundra
can be found at any latitude on earth.
yet, the elevation that the alpine
tundra begins is different depending
on where you are. For instance, on
the tall Mexican Volcano's, the
treelike is much higher than
anywhere in the United states. It
occurs around 13,000 feet. In
Colorado, the Tundra begins around
11,500 feet. Farther north, in Alaska,
the Tundra can form at only a few
thousand feet elevation!
The tundra climate is directly tied to its
location in high latitudes. Here, the
subsidence and divergence of the polar
anticyclone is an important control over
the climate. The subsidence associated
with high pressure decreases the
chances for precipitation. Located at
such a high latitude creates low
temperatures that reduces moisture
content of the air. Arctic front cyclones
bring moisture bearing winds to the
tundra climate.
The tundra is located at the top of
the world, near the North Pole.
This enormous biome, extremely
uniform in appearance, covers a
fifth of the earth's surface.
The most distinctive characteristic of tundra soil is its permafrost, a
permanently frozen layer of ground. During the brief summers, the top
section of the soil may thaw out allowing plants and microorganisms to
grow and reproduce. However, these plants and microorganisms
become dormant during the cold winter months. There is another
region called alpine tundra, which is found on the tops of tall, cold
mountains.
Permafrost :
(in arctic or subarctic regions) perennially
frozen subsoil.
http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/images/tundra/al
askapipeline1.jpg
http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/ritter/geog101/textbook/c
limate_systems/tundra_1.html
http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/tundra_plant_page.htm
http://www.tundraanimals.net/guide/polarbear.html
http://www.tundraanimals.net/guide/caribou.html
http://www.tundraanimals.net/guide/arcticfox.html
http://www.tundraanimals.net/guide/arctichare.html
http://www.tundraanimals.net/guide/snowyowl.html
http://www.tundraanimals.net/guide/muskox.html
http://www.tundraanimals.net/guide/rockptarmigan.html
http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/index.html