TUNDRA
How much does a polar bear weigh? Enough to break the ice.
Where it's located
The tundra is found at the top of the world near the North Pole. The tundra covers a fifth of Earth's surface.
Temperatures
Winters here are long and bitterly cold. The average temperature in the winter is -30 degrees. Temperatures only rise above freezing during the short summer. The average temperature in the summer is 37-54 degrees. Permafrost has to do a lot with why the tundra is so cold. Permafrost is permanently frozen ground. In the summer the permafrost doesn't completely thaw so the ground stays cold. This is why temperatures sometimes don't rise above freezing in the summer or winter.
Animals that live in the Tundra
Snowy owl
The snowy owl is one of the largest owls, not only in the Arctic, but in North America as well. They range from 1.75 to 2 feet in length, and they have a wingspan of 4.5 to 5.5 feet.They can survive in the Tundra because they have a dense layer of feathers on their body as well as their feet.
Polar Bear
The polar bear's skin and coat are adapted to withstand the harsh environment of the Tundra. Their coat absorbs the sun and keeps heat in. Their skin takes in the heat keeping the polar bear warm.
Arctic Fox
The arctic fox can live in temperatures as low as -58 degrees. It can live in these freezing temperatures because it has a thick outer coat and thick skin underneath. The arctic fox eats a variety of things. SOme of these include: a variety of rodents, birds, and even fish.
Precipitation
How much precipitation does the tudra get?
The Tundra does in fact get some precipitation. The Tundra will get approximately 6-10 inches of rain a year. This includes the melted snow in the summer.
Tufted Saxifrage
The tufted saxifrage grows in thick mats on the tundra. It is approximately 2-6 inches tall.
Bear Berry
The Bear Berry is a low growing evergreen. It is called the bear berry because it is one of the bears favorite snacks.
Arctic Willow
The Arctic Willow is a treeless plain and uneven ground. It prefers to live in cold dry places.