Arctic Tundra Animals And Plants

The tundra plants consist mostly of mosses grasses lichens sedges and shrubs.

Arctic tundra animals and plants. The tundra climate region are found in the Arctic and Antarctic. The arctic tundra animals and plants have to adapt to the harsh climatic conditions. Only a thin layer of soil called the active layer thaws and.

Approximately 1700 species of plants live on the Arctic tundra including flowering plants dwarf shrubs herbs grasses mosses and lichens. Tundra wildlife includes small mammalssuch as Norway lemmings Lemmus lemmus arctic hares Lepis arcticus and arctic ground squirrels Spermophilus parryii and large mammals such as caribou Rangifer tarandus. Those living in the icy water have blubber a thick layer of fat under the skin.

Some plants that grow in the tundra include lichen short shrubs sedges grasses flowers birch trees and willow trees. Arctic Moss is an Autotrophic plant and is a. In North America the descriptive term Barren Grounds is frequently applied.

Judging by the amount of hits my post last year on rudolph the. Arctic animals have thick coats to keep them warm. Below are some really neat facts about the arctic tundra.

Arctic tundra animals do not enjoy the luxury of simply heading into thick forests to escape the biting wind. Other animals that live in the tundra include polar bears arctic foxes caribous north american reindeers penguins southern arctic areas grey wolves snow geese and musk oxen. Lemmings musk oxen arctic foxes and wolves.

The arctic fox is a secondary consumer and a carnivore. Balance of the body is maintained with these large hooves as the caribou. The plants growing in the alpine climate and at a higher elevation above the tree line are called alpine plants.