Tundra+-+Wildlife

__**Wildlife**__ __Directory:__ Home Iditarod Invasive Species

__Animals in the Arctic Tundra__
There are several animals that live in the Tundra. There are polar bears,Caribou, Tundra Wolves, Arctic Foxes, Humpback Whales and Ermines.

Polar Bears are one of the most fierce animals in the Arctic Tundra, having no natural predators. Polar Bears live in the Arctic waters that surround Alaska and also live on land. They most commonly eat ringed seals.

Caribou are another animal that populate the Alaskan Tundra region. These creatures eat mostly moss, lichens and green plants. The caribou's natural predator is the Tundra wolf. Another animal in the tundra is the Tundra Wolf. They are of a brownish gray in color and feed on caribou, fish, lemmings, birds, foxes and squrrels. They, like the polar bear have no natural predators.

Arctic Foxes are another animal that inhabits the arctic Tundra. They have a thick white coat that keeps them warm in the harsh Alaskan temperatures. They typically eat lemmings and snow hares. They are eaten by Polar Bears.

One of the largest animals in the Tundra is the Humpback Whale. They live in the Pacific Ocean and other salt water bodies surrounding Alaska. Their major predators are Killer whales, and their primary food sources range from microscopic plankton to large fish.

Ermines are another arctic animal that are found in many areas of the Alaskan Tundra. They are known to eat lemmings and their predators include snakes, hawks and owls.

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__Plants in the Arctic Tundra__
Some of the plants in the arctic tundra include Arctic Moss and The Pasque Flower.

Arctic Moss is an aquatic plant that can be found growing on the bottom of Tundra lake beds and in and around bogs. Arctic Moss can also be found growing on land. It is eaten my migrating animals such as birds. There are about 2000 arctic moss plant species found in the Tundra.

The pasque Flower is another plant that is found in the Alaskan Tundra. They grow in several stems and grow to about 6-8 inches off the ground. They are a popular plant for many home gardens. The Pasque Flower can also be used to treat diseases such as Catarcts.