Caribou
Caribou are members of the deer family. They have thick fur coats which help to keep them warm. They migrate across the Arctic in large herds eating moss, lichens and other plants. During the winter they stay in the forest at the south of the Arctic Circle where trees give them protection form wind and snow. In the spring they leave the forests and go to the tundra where calves are born. As snow retreats it is not only mining which is pushing forward but logging has been in process since the 1900. If we continue where will Caribou stay for the winter?
Arctic Wolf
Arctic Wolves live far north often on islands. They are small and white in colour. They have a thick undercoat, soft fur and an overcoat of long thick hair. They also have smaller more-rounded ears, a shorter muzzle and shorter legs to prevent heat loss. They hunt in small packs and feed upon musk oxen, caribou and arctic hares. They also eat lemmings, birds and ground squirrels. Though these wolves may not be affected by global warming and human activities, animals that they feed upon will and this may cause their numbers to reduce.
Wolverine
The wolverine is a fierce and strong animal about the size of a bear cub. It is the largest member of the weasel family and is most common in Northern Areas. Though it is short, with powerful legs and large feet it looks similar to a small bear. It eats mice, rats, small mammals, birds and eggs yet during winter when prey is scarce it eats reindeer and other large prey. Often it will let other animals do the hunting and scare them away by growling and showing it's teeth. Due to not being fast movers they often pounce from trees and rocks. Wolverines' powerful jaws and large teeth allow them to crush large bones and eat frozen meat They also are adapted to different climates yet despite this there numbers are declining.
Lemmings
Lemmings live in the treeless areas of North Antarctica. In winter they dig burrows in the snow and create networks of tunnels with rest areas, bathrooms and nesting rooms. The lemming looks like a fat furry hamster with strong legs and claws for digging as well as thick fur to keep them warm. They eat plants, roots, berries and lichens yet are at the bottom of the food chain with many enemies such as the ermine, Arctic fox, Snowy Owl, Wolf and wolverine being simply a few of many. Arctic foxes sniff them out in their burrows while ermines can fit down their tunnels and often chase the lemmings into their burrows and kill them by biting their necks. The lemming numbers are important as when their are fewer lemmings there are fewer predators. A good example is the snowy owl which number of chicks depends on the population of lemmings. Females lemmings however give birth to up to eight babies every 5 weeks so the high number often provides plentiful amounts of food. When they overpopulate the lemmings migrate although many drown by running into creeks and lakes. The lemming is a truly important animal in the Arctic ecosystem and without lemmings the food chain would collapse. Whether this will this happen as southern plants migrate northwards replacing current plants is a mystery.
Arctic Hares
The hare lives throughout the tundra. It can be found in both Arctic islands and on the mainland. It can live in both mountainous and lowland areas where plants grow quickly in the short summer season. In winter it shelters and digs in snow for food. They have the ability to change colour. In winter they are white with black ear tips and in summer it depends on where they live. Babies are taught to lie perfectly still in order to camouflage with their surroundings and fool predators. Their strong hind legs allow them to reach speeds of 64 km an hour and they have the ability to swim through small streams making it hard for predators. Their main food is woody plants. They are omnivores and will eat mosses, lichens, buds, berries, leaves, seaweed, bark, willow twigs and roots and even the meat from the traps of hunters. Hares will form large groups and while some rest, others will act as guards. They often gather in the snow behind bushes or rocks and may dig tunnels in the snow. It has been found that there may be groups as large as 1000. They have many enemies made up of snowy owls, birds of prey, wolves, foxes, weasels and polar bears so they are always alert and ready to flee if they senses an enemy. They are often caught in traps made for other animals so will more human activity reduce hare numbers? Will mining destroy these animals habitat and if so how will they camouflage against the new colours?
Arctic Birds
The Snowy Owl lives in the arctic all year round. It is covered with feathers from head to toe to protect it from the severe cold winter. Their main source of food is lemmings but they may feed upon other small animals. If food is scarce they retreat to the tundra and return in spring. They may lay up to ten eggs if food is plentiful but Arctic foxes often feed upon the eggs and chicks.
The Arctic Tern flies thousands of miles from the Antarctic to the Arctic. It flies to the Arctic to nest and breed its young before returning to the Antarctic once more. The nest is a dent on the ground, built on the tundra or on a stony beach near water. A mother lays two or three eggs and if anyone comes near it gives a warning call before attacking.
The Arctic Tern flies thousands of miles from the Antarctic to the Arctic. It flies to the Arctic to nest and breed its young before returning to the Antarctic once more. The nest is a dent on the ground, built on the tundra or on a stony beach near water. A mother lays two or three eggs and if anyone comes near it gives a warning call before attacking.
Polar Bears
Polar Bears have a thick oily fur coat and a layer of blubber under their skin. They spend most of the time on pack ice or in the water as they hunt ringed seal. Their white fur helps camouflage them when stalking seals resting on the ice. Winter temperatures make this hard for the polar bear so instead they eat as much as possible in Summer to fatten up so when winter arrives they can live off the fat in their bodies. The females also dig a den in the snow where they hibernate before the cubs are born.
Whales
Whales are able to live in the cold water of the Arctic due to the thick layer of blubber under their skin. However only three whales make it their home, the belugas, bowheads and narwhals. Bowheads can reach lengths of 18 metres and have almost gone extinct in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries due to over hunting. Narwhals have long ivory tusks and like elephants are threatened by overhunting. White belugas make noises like whistles, chirps and clicks. They use their foreheads to smash ice so they can breathe.
Harp Seals
Female Harp seals have their Pups in early spring. They crawl out of the ice to give birth to their pups. For a few days the young seals have fluffy white coats of fur, yet within two weeks it turns dark grey and the harp seal swim north following schools of fish.