The tundra is one of the most unique ecosystems in the world, characterized by long periods of either night or day and temperatures that remain subzero for most of the year. There are two different types of tundra: Alpine and Polar. The Polar covers large parts of Alaska, Canada and Greenland.
While it may seem that a place so desolate would be devoid of animal life, the truth is, that the tundra is rich with flora and fauna, including some species not found anywhere else in the world. Animals living in the tundra have developed some very unique characteristics to help them survive the rough climate and soil. Most of the animals have very thick fur to prevent their skin from becoming wet and freezing. Others have learned how to survive by digging complex underground tunnels and only coming out to feed when it gets warmer.
Animals like the Arctic fox and the lemmings are well adapted to the tundra because of their short, stocky bodies and thick hair. To help them hunt and hide from predators, they also change fur color in winter, switching from brown to white, so they can better blend with the environment.
Tundra animals also have a special adaptation that keeps their bodily fluids from freezing. In most species, this is a combination of a thick layer of fat and the ability to use solar energy to warm up their body. As part of this process, their bodies also get rid of nuclei, which would produce ice and cause their blood to freeze. Insects are particularly prone to freezing because of their size, which is why they produce natural antifreeze to stay alive, even in subzero temperatures. In larger animals like the caribou, even the veins have adapted by running closer than normal to each other, which keeps the blood flowing more easily and prevents the legs – which are often buried in snow – from freezing.
As far as diets go, most of the animals in the tundra have adapted the ability to eat different things throughout the year, depending on what is available. In summer, when the ice melts and small animals come out of their dens, larger predators are able to hunt more freely, but in winter, they usually eat roots, grass, and even insects in order to survive.
All images © Robert R. Taylor