Organisms in the Tundra

The arctic tundra is actually the world's youngest biome, formed only 10,000 years ago. This vast land covers 20 percent of the Earth's surface. Temperatures get as low as -94 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and as high as 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. The tundra is also the driest biome in the world, as only 6 to 8 inches of precipitation fall a year. It is a precarious and fragile environment that surprisingly has many wildlife species that have adapted to its harshness.

  1. Polar Bear

    • The polar bear is the largest carnivore in the tundra. When standing, it can reach heights of 8 to 11 feet. Polar bears weigh between 660 and 990 pounds. They have two layers of fur that is actually clear. The white color is a trick of the light. The sun's rays reach the black skin and keep the bears warm. This, along with a thick layer of blubber, allows them to withstand temperatures down to -34 degrees Fahrenheit. Their main pray is seal. Long necks and partially webbed front feet help them to be excellent swimmers. Polar bears are an endangered species. Around 40,000 are left in the wild.

    Arctic Fox

    • The arctic fox makes its home in small burrows. Because it is a scavenger, it will often take what's left of a polar bear kill. But it will go after small birds, rodents and fish as well. It is between 10 and 16 inches long, has short legs and a bushy tail it uses for warmth when it sleeps. The fox's fur is white in the winter and blue-gray in the summer. Due to a lack of cover in the tundra, the arctic fox has developed a stealthy movement pattern.

    Snowy Owl

    • The snowy owl is one of the largest of the owls. It weighs four to six pounds and has a wingspan of up to 5.4 feet. The owl's name comes from its distinctive white feathers. The bird's nest is made from moss and frozen turf on a hill or ridge. Its large eyes take up more skull space than its brain. This great eyesight is needed to spot predators and food. Usually silent, it will emit a hoot, when claiming or protecting territory, that can be heard two miles away.

    Arctic Moss

    • Very few plants have adapted to the tundra and no trees at all. Arctic moss grows in freshwater lakes, bogs and marshes created by melting frost in the summer. It does not have true roots and never has wood stems. The plant is covered in small leaves only one cell thick. Since they have no flowers, they reproduce by sending out spores or growing shoots. Arctic moss is an extremely slow-growing plant, one centimeter a year. Leaves live for four years, and shoots live for nine. Some frozen, preserved arctic moss has stayed intact for thousands of years.