Where the most powerful tides break the ice of the Arctic Ocean, forming wormwood and cracks, and the bottom warm Atlantic current brings a large mass of fish, shellfish and plankton, a small number of animals live.
Mostly small mammals inhabit the vast expanses of the tundra. Especially characteristic for this area are such inhabitants as the Siberian and Ob lemmings, as well as the Middendorff vole, which lives in the western tundra. In its southern regions, a housekeeper vole lives, and in areas with drier soil, the vole is narrow-bones.
Let us consider in more detail the unusual inhabitants of this region.
Amazing tundra animals - lemmings. These are small rodents with hooves. Their number is constantly exposed (with a frequency of four years) to fluctuations. You can count up to hundreds of animals per 1 ha during the years of mass reproduction, while in the years of decline, it is difficult to find one. The number of lemmings predators directly depends on the number of these small rodents. Seagulls, gyrfalcons, skuas, ermines do not bypass this prey, adding them to their diet, which consists of several species of ground squirrels and voles.
These tundra animals are the main food for all predators of this habitat. Vole mice and lemmings are the main ration for white owl and arctic foxes. Large gulls also eat large numbers of these small rodents.
No less amazing animals of the tundra are Arctic foxes. The main element of fur production in these places is this charming predator. Despite this, the fur world is still diluted with ermine, wolverine and affection. A fox also lives in the southern tundra. In some places in the Yamal tundra, a wolf can be found, which is concentrated mainly in places of accumulation of numerous domestic deer herds. Gydan and the far north of Yamal have a small number of reindeer herds, and the island of Bely and the Arctic tundra are even less used by local reindeer herders for raising livestock.
Tundra animals begin their vigorous activity with the first rays of the spring sun. In the spring, the tundra does not recognize! A huge number of birds flies here for nesting. Numerous swamps, lakes and full-flowing rivers attract them to themselves with an abundance of feed. The whole district is filled with noise and screams, because you have to catch everything before the cold comes.
These amazing tundra animals (arctic foxes, wolves, reindeer and musk ox) were able to find adaptation to the harsh living conditions among the ice and snow. Walruses, seals, polar bears do not differ from them.
Sea giant, walrus is a fast and tireless swimmer. He, like a powerful torpedo, rushes in the water column. Walrus for several days may not crawl out to land. These are truly amazing tundra animals that rest and even sleep in ice water. Thanks to the inflated neck bags, it is able to stay close to the surface of the water. An interesting fact is that he has only subcutaneous fat almost half a ton, and his fangs are able to protect even from the attack of a polar bear.
The animal world of the tundra has another representative that symbolizes power and endurance. This is a polar bear, rightfully recognized as the owner of the Arctic. A strong and powerful beast in this climatic zone is the largest representative of the terrestrial wildlife. Some individuals can reach up to 1 ton of weight. His most formidable weapons are healthy clawed legs. With one blow, he is able to not only kill the seal, but also to stun the big harp seal. Yes, animals in the tundra can stand up for themselves and survive under any circumstances.
The favorite tidbit of this formidable handsome man is fat seals. He is a very patient hunter, able to track prey for hours, lying on an ice floe near a small wormwood. He is an excellent swimmer and, if a hole in the ice allows him, can overtake his prey in the water. A thick coat and an impressive supply of subcutaneous fat prevent it from freezing. It is very interesting that such giants bear cubs are born the size of a palm.
Here is such an exciting life animals spend in the tundra.