Tundra is one of the important ecosystems found on the planet. Tundra region is covered with snow during most of the months in a year. When the snow melts, the tough grasses, mosses, and small shrubs have a short, quick growing season. However, many animals have perfectly adapted to the tundra climate. Tundra region experiences average precipitation less than 15 inches annually. These animals are rather large, considering the severe environments in which they live. It can measure between 17 and 33 centimeters, and weigh between 80 and 500 grams approximately. There are no forest trees at all. Many animals migrate to avoid the colder months. Some of the commonly seen plants of the tundra ecosystem include lichen, sedges, shrubs, moss, liverworts, grass, various flowers, etc. Characteristics of tundra include: Extremely cold climate; Low biotic diversity; Simple vegetation structure; Limitation of drainage; Short season of growth and reproduction; Energy and nutrients in the form of dead organic material; Large population oscillations; Tundra is separated into two types: Arctic tundra; Alpine tundra; Arctic tundra However, the summer months bring a beautiful view in the tundra region with the blossom of various species of wildflowers. Adaptive traits can enhance an animals’ capacity to search out meals, make a safer residence, escape predators, survive in the chill or warmth, or lack of water. The animal possesses short legs and is sturdy. This species of fox, as its name says, is a species adapted to the Arctic. Some of the tundra animals more representative they are the arctic hare, the caribou, the harlequin duck, the snow ptarmigan, the polar bear and the gray bear. In the winter there is no sunlight so animals store up on food and hibernate for the long winter. The Arctic tundra region is found between the North Pole and the taiga region (also known as coniferous forests). It has a grayish coat very characteristic of tundra animals. The animals of the tundra ecosystem are observed quite active during summer months as compared to winter months. It is common that many animals of the tundra have white fur to blend in with the snow or ice of the soil of this biome. Harlequin ducks get their name because their colors are reminiscent of the clothes of harlequin clowns. (2003) Retrieved: November 25, 2017 from Blue Planet Biomes: blueplanetbiomes.org. Shrubs, birches and willows are few and small, to resist frost and strong winds. On the other hand, there are also carnivorous animals such as the white bear, the hawk, the owl and the wolf. The overall extent of this ecosystem is considerable: it occupies almost 10% of the Earth's surface. Your email address will not be published. It is also called snow owl or the great white owl. Animals that eat both other animals and plants are called omnivores. The ptarmigan is a bird that can be found both in the tundra and in the higher parts of the mountain ranges of America and Eurasia. "Polar bear"in: Osopolarpedia. It usually weighs about 6 pounds and is about 12 inches in length. look more active in winter. There have been a total of 48 documented species of animal living in the Tundra biome. Tundra is known for large stretches of bare ground and rock and for patchy mantles of low vegetation such as mosses, lichens, herbs, and small shrubs. change their coat according to the season, i.e., brown during summer and white during winter. Just as the desert can fade into rainforest depending on a gradient of rainfall, a gradient of biomes or life zones can also be established around elevation. "Tundra Animals"in: Tundra Animals. His body has traces of evolution to live in the tundra, such as his hooves were developed not to sink into the snow when walking. The animals of the Alpine tundra ecosystem mostly include mountain goat, elk, springtail, butterflies, marmots, bighorn sheep, grizzly bear, beetle, grasshopper, etc. The caribou is a species belonging to the family Cervidae, which is typical of North America. Permafrost plays a vital role in the poor vegetation of the tundra ecosystem. Animals - arctic foxes, polar bears, grey wolves, caribou, snow geese and musk-oxen are found here. Permafrost is a permanently frozen sublayer of soil. These conditions make the Arctic tundra a desert-like climate ( see climograph ). 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