Tundra Animals
If you thought survival in frozen areas of tundra region is impossible, the list of animals given below is bound to surprise you. Continue reading for more information about the animals found in tundra biome, and their amazing adaptation skills which help them survive the extreme climate of this region.
When we talk about tundra animals, the first few names to come to our mind are likely to be Arctic fox, polar bear, caribou, etc. While those are undoubtedly the most popular animals in tundra biome, there do exist a few other species which have adapted themselves to the extreme climate of this biome very well. Before we move on to see which are these animals which have the ability to survive in tundra biome, let's have a look at some tundra biome facts, so as to get a rough idea about the harsh conditions that this biome is notorious for.
Tundra Biome
The tundra biome - which is typically characterized by freezing temperatures, low biotic diversity, lack of vegetation and presence of permafrost, covers approximately one-tenth of the total surface area of the Earth. The harsh conditions of tundra make it virtually impossible for humans to inhabit this biome. For animals, however, survival seems to be a lot easier. The tundra biome is further divided into three divisions - the Arctic tundra biome (located at the north pole), Antarctic tundra (located at the south pole) and the alpine tundra (located at high altitudes in different parts of the world). The location of this biome plays a crucial role in making tundra climate so harsh. Other than this harsh climate, the number of biotic factors - all of which are related to each other, come into play when determining which plants and animals inhabit this biome. It may come as a surprise for many, but the list of tundra plants and animals is quite lengthy, and goes much beyond the polar bears, Arctic foxes and caribou species.
Animals in the Tundra Biome
Scarcity of food and harsh climatic conditions may make survival in tundra biome seem to be an impossible task, but the animals found here pull-off this seemingly impossible task with utmost ease. The credit for this amazing feat goes to their superb adaptation skills. Some of the most prominent animal adaptations in tundra biome include thick fur and rich deposits of fat (which helps these animals survive freezing cold), small ears (which helps them minimize heat loss), small bodies (which ensure minimal exposure to frigid air), broad feet (which makes it easier for them to walk on snow), etc. Other than these adaptation skills, several animal species in tundra resort to hibernation in winter when food availability is the biggest hindrance. Migratory species of birds and animals come down during the winter season and return to tundra only during summer. Given below is a list of animals all of which have a crucial role to play in the tundra food chain.
Even though there is no direct interference by humans in this biome, the animals here do get affected by several environmental issues which are traced to human activities. For instance, melting of polar ice as a result of global warming has resulted in habitat destruction for various animals found here - which are being pushed further north. As a result of this, animals endemic to this biome - such as the polar bears and Arctic fox species, have already made it to the endangered species list compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). If the current trends continue, the names of these animals will soon feature in IUCN Red List - the extinct animals list, which will affect the entire ecosystem as a whole.
Tundra Biome
The tundra biome - which is typically characterized by freezing temperatures, low biotic diversity, lack of vegetation and presence of permafrost, covers approximately one-tenth of the total surface area of the Earth. The harsh conditions of tundra make it virtually impossible for humans to inhabit this biome. For animals, however, survival seems to be a lot easier. The tundra biome is further divided into three divisions - the Arctic tundra biome (located at the north pole), Antarctic tundra (located at the south pole) and the alpine tundra (located at high altitudes in different parts of the world). The location of this biome plays a crucial role in making tundra climate so harsh. Other than this harsh climate, the number of biotic factors - all of which are related to each other, come into play when determining which plants and animals inhabit this biome. It may come as a surprise for many, but the list of tundra plants and animals is quite lengthy, and goes much beyond the polar bears, Arctic foxes and caribou species.
Animals in the Tundra Biome
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Scarcity of food and harsh climatic conditions may make survival in tundra biome seem to be an impossible task, but the animals found here pull-off this seemingly impossible task with utmost ease. The credit for this amazing feat goes to their superb adaptation skills. Some of the most prominent animal adaptations in tundra biome include thick fur and rich deposits of fat (which helps these animals survive freezing cold), small ears (which helps them minimize heat loss), small bodies (which ensure minimal exposure to frigid air), broad feet (which makes it easier for them to walk on snow), etc. Other than these adaptation skills, several animal species in tundra resort to hibernation in winter when food availability is the biggest hindrance. Migratory species of birds and animals come down during the winter season and return to tundra only during summer. Given below is a list of animals all of which have a crucial role to play in the tundra food chain.
- Antarctic Fur Seal (Arctocephalus gazella)
- Arctic Fox (Alopex lagopus)
- Arctic Hare (Lepus arcticus)
- Arctic Lemming (Dicrostonyx torquatus)
- Arctic Loon (Gavia arctica)
- Arctic Shrew (Sorex arcticus)
- Arctic Wolf (Canis lupus tundrarum)
- Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas)
- Brant Goose (Branta bernicla)
- Canada Goose (Canada Goose)
- Caribou (Rangifer tarandus)
- Eastern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes filholi)
- Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri)
- Ermine (Mustela erminea)
- Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos horribilis)
- Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus)
- Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus)
- Killer Whale (Orcinus orca)
- King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonica)
- Moose (Alces alces)
- Musk Ox (Ovibos moschatus)
- Northern Alaskan Fox (Vulpes vulpes)
- Polar Bear (Ursus Maritimus)
- Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius)
- Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
- Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens)
- Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)
- Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)
- Tundra Wolf (Canis lupus albus)
- White-tailed Ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura)
- Wolverine (Gulo gulo)
- Yak (Bos grunniens)
Even though there is no direct interference by humans in this biome, the animals here do get affected by several environmental issues which are traced to human activities. For instance, melting of polar ice as a result of global warming has resulted in habitat destruction for various animals found here - which are being pushed further north. As a result of this, animals endemic to this biome - such as the polar bears and Arctic fox species, have already made it to the endangered species list compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). If the current trends continue, the names of these animals will soon feature in IUCN Red List - the extinct animals list, which will affect the entire ecosystem as a whole.
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