TundraTundra

caribouTo keep the heat in, caribou have two layers of fur covering their bodies. They have a fine crinkly under-fur and a thick coat of guard hairs on top. Guard hairs

are hollow like straws. The air trapped inside the hollow hairs act as insulation to keep in the caribou's body heat. Caribou are excellent swimmers. The hollow

hairs help them to be buoyant in the water.

musk oxIt is sometimes hard for the musk ox to drink because of cold weather. The water may freeze and then the musk ox has to break the ice in order to get the unfrozen water to drink. Its

hooves are well adapted for this.

pikaA pika (pie-ka) uses its sharp teeth to chew leaves, flowers,

and stems. He then takes it back to his habitat and lets it dry in the sun, so that he has a supply of food in the winter.

polar bearThe polar bear's large feet are like snowshoes. The hair on the soles of its feet help the bear walk on the slippery ice and snow.

The bear walks with toes pointing inward to avoid slipping.

arctic wolvesTheir coat is nearly pure white and somewhat thicker than a gray wolf, and to

minimize exposure to the cold, their ears are smaller and more rounded.

snowy owlTo maintain its blood at a constant

temperature, the snowy owl must eat more food than an animal in a warm environment. The snowy owl uses fat left over from summer to survive when

food is scarce.

arctic foxIn winter its thick, bushy coat

turns white. This makes it very hard to see the fox. The prey is not able to spot the Arctic fox

until it is too late.

cushion plants

Densely-packed foliage protects the plant from wind, snow and ice.

arctic poppies

These have cup-shaped flowers so the sun’s rays are directed toward the center of the flower.

mountain avens

These are low evergreen semi-shrubs with woody stems that trail

along the ground and root easily from the nodes.

lichensLichens can be covered with ice up to three years and still remain alive.