TUNDRA BIOMES The Amazing Facts Of Tundra Biomes

Tundra biome animals � The Arctic Fox is able to survive in the tundra biome. This is a fairly small animal with a very thick coat. It usually weighs about 6 pounds and is about 12 inches in length. They are solitary animals that will do very well in the tundra biome due to their adaptive nature. It is able to make burrows under ground to escape the severe cold temperatures found there. The Polar Bear is known as the largest terrestrial carnivore in the world. They are excellent swimmers and spend more of their time in the water than they do on land. Penguins are aquatic, flightless birds that are highly adapted to life in the water. Their distinct tuxedo-like appearance is called countershading, a form of camouflage that helps keep them safe in the water. Penguins do have wing-bones, though they are flipperlike and extremely suited to swimming. Penguins are found almost exclusively in the southern hemisphere, where they catch their food underwater and raise their young on land.

Tundra Biome Plants � Although most biomes on earth are covered in trees, the tundra is known for its lack of trees. The term tundra actually comes from the Finnish word 'tunturia' which means 'treeless plain'. The tundra has very few trees due to several factors. First, the short summer season results in a short growing season, which makes it difficult for trees to grow larger. The persistent and strong winds also make it difficult for large trees to survive due to damage caused by the wind. Additionally, the permafrost makes it difficult for roots to penetrate the soil and create a strong support base. The cold temperature of the permafrost also makes decomposition slower, which limits the amount of nutrients being cycled through the environment.

Tundra Biome Climate � The tundra is an unusually cold and dry climate. Precipitation totals 6 -10 inches of rain a year, which includes melted snow. This is almost as little as the world's driest deserts. Coupled with strong and drying winds, the tundra is an extreme weather biome. The tundra seems like a wet and soggy place because the precipitation that falls evaporates slowly, and because of the poor drainage caused by the permafrost.

Tundra Biome Interesting Facts � The tundra biome is an ecosystem situated near the North Pole in the Arctic Circle. It is by far the coldest of all biomes. The winters are extremely cold with temperatures typically below -34° C. The summers last only about two months and the temperatures are still very cold ranging from 3° to 12° C. This biome still sustains life although it encounters these extreme temperatures. Some animals, insects, and even plants thrive there.

Bibliography � http: //www. softschools. com/facts/biomes/tundra_biome_facts/ 171/ http: //www. blueplanetbiomes. org/tundra_climate. ht m http: //www. softschools. com/facts/biomes/tu ndra_biome_facts/171/