Tundra

caribou To 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 ox It 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.

pika A 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 bear The 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 wolves Their 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 owl To 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 fox In 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.

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