What Animals in the Tundra Alpine Biome Are Endangered?

The alpine tundra is one of the most formidable and particular biomes on the planet. The tundra has little vegetation, and its overall composition is rapidly shifting as global warming affects its ice stores and temperature. Animals in the tundra are especially susceptible to endangerment due to hunting and climate change, as they have evolved to the tundra's specific makeup.

  1. Musk Ox

    • Musk ox are related to mastadons and mammoths.

      The musk ox lives further north than any other hoofed animal. Native to the arctic tundra circling the north pole, they survive mainly on thin grasses and other plants. The musk ox's only natural predator is the arctic wolf, though hunting has greatly damaged the population of the musk ox. Global warming, too, has a significant impact as breeding grounds and feeding areas have been altered due to climate change.

    Polar Bear

    • Polar bears' white fur helps camoflague them.

      Polar bears are the largest land carnivore, weighing in at as much as 900 lbs. They feed mainly on seals, though they occasionally eat other animals such as ducks, foxes and whale carcasses. Polar bears were hunted heavily until they were put onto the endangered species list. Global warming also greatly affects polar bears, as the ice shelves they hunt from are melting at increasing rates, making it difficult to hunt seals and other prey.

    Snowy Owl

    • Male and female snowy owls have different markings.

      This shy, reclusive raptor is one of the largest owl species in the world. Snowy owls survive on a diet of small rodents, arctic foxes, lemmings and small birds. They were hunted by humans for their plumage, though now they are listed as endangered and are illegal to hunt. However, as humans take up more space within the owls' breeding grounds, the species continues to be threatened by human interference.

    Grizzly Bear

    • Grizzlies are solitary animals.

      Grizzly bears are prevalent through some parts of North America and can survive in a wide variety of environments, including the alpine tundra, forests, and open meadows and valleys. Grizzlies feed almost entirely off of plants, and they will eat meat, they rarely hunt. In the 1970s there were as few as 300 grizzlies left in the wild. Thanks to protection and extensive conservation efforts, the number of grizzlies in the wild is increasing.