Polar animals. Arctic desert - typical animals, birds. A story about the animal world of the Arctic deserts: photos, pictures, videos. Pictured is a reindeer
Klokova Maria
The presentation contains material about the birds of the Arctic
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Birds of the Arctic Ocean
In summer, many seabirds nest on the rocky shores of the islands of the Arctic Ocean: guillemots, guillemots and gulls of various species. In spring, birds fly to their nesting sites. They are located on the ledges of steep rocks in huge colonies, forming "bird colonies". Such settlements can number hundreds of thousands of individuals. This diversity of species is explained by the fact that the waters of the Arctic are unusually rich in plankton and fish, so all birds are in a hurry to hatch their chicks during the short Arctic summer.
Arctic tern Signs: very similar to a small river tern - its length is 35 cm, while that of a river tern is 38 cm. beak is yellow with a black tip. But in winter, when the beak of both species is black, this sign disappears, sometimes in spring, during molting, it also turns out to be ineffective. The Arctic tern has very short legs, a light gray coat on the chest, and bright white cheeks. The tips of the wings (the outer side of the primary flight feathers) when viewed from below the Arctic Tern appear to be bordered with gray. In the common tern, these feathers are dark gray and black. In winter plumage, the forehead and crown of Arctic terns are white, while in common terns only the forehead is light. The voice of the Arctic tern is harsh, especially when this bird is defending its nest. Distribution: The arctic tern succeeds the common tern in the north, although there are areas where both species coexist and even nest in the same mixed colonies, such as off the German coasts of the Baltic and North Seas. Arctic terns are found in all countries around the North Pole. In the skerries of the Baltic Sea, these birds nest on the highest cliffs, while the common tern prefers islands near calm waters near the seashore. In the north, Arctic tern breeds on flat rocky islands, on pebbly coastal areas, in sand dunes, on beaches, in lichen tundra close to the coast and in similar places. Sometimes some individuals can be found on the banks of rivers and lakes.
Black guillemots Distribution: The common guillemot is common in cold seas around the entire North Pole. In Europe, its nesting area extends as far south as Ireland. In the Baltic Sea, the common guillemot lives even in the Gulf of Finland, where the water is almost fresh and freezes in winter. Then the guillemots migrate south to the coast of Germany. In the North Sea, guillemots are almost never found. The common guillemot is not a bird of the open sea, it lives in calm waters under the protection of islands located near the coast, in fjords and in shallow waters. Birds live here all year round. The guillemot nests between boulders and among rocks, that is, in the same places as the great auk, which competes with the guillemot in the fight for nesting sites. But usually the guillemot nests lower than the razorbill, most often immediately behind the surf line, and only sometimes at a distance of up to 3 km from the coast. In 8 bird colonies, the guillemot settles among the boulders at the foot of the rocks. Sometimes on the islands covered with scattering of boulders there are colonies in which only common guillemots nest. Reproduction: nest in colonies of several dozen pairs or simply separate pairs at the foot of rocky bird rookeries. Partners are very tender to each other: in the language of many fishermen, guillemots are called doves. Unlike their relatives, common guillemots usually lay two eggs, although sometimes only one chick survives. Both parents incubate the chicks; Interestingly, the yolk of auks' eggs is bright red. The incubation time of the chicks is from 21 to 24 days, breeding occurs in June and early July. Often a bird sitting on eggs can even be picked up. The hatched chick has a dark gray down and stays in the burrow for 35 to 39 days, like chicks and other birds nesting in caves and burrows. But when after that the chicks leave the nest, they already know how to fly well and are almost completely independent. Food: as a rule, common guillemots look for food at the bottom of water bodies. Therefore, they never move away from the coast. The main food of guillemots is all kinds of crustaceans, marine worms, molluscs and polyps. If you throw a stone into the water next to a guillemot, then sometimes the bird immediately dives and raises it to the surface in its beak. In search of food, birds rarely dive for more than 30 seconds to escape danger. The sticks can stay underwater for up to 2 minutes. Signs: slightly smaller than the guillemot, length 34 cm, wing length 68 cm. The guillemot is the only representative of the auk family, whose abdomen is black in summer, and in any bird plumage there is a clearly defined white spot on the wings. In winter, the underside of the plumage is white, and the top is covered with dark spots. With such a difference between summer and winter plumage, birds look very bizarre during molting. During the rest, the guillemots sit on rocks and ice blocks, straightening their body up and bending their neck in the shape of the letter S, while the birds are so gullible that in the old days hunters killed them with long peaks right from the boats passing by. When walking, the guillemots waddle heavily, their flight is fast, reminiscent of the flight of dragonflies, the guillemots take off after a short acceleration through the water. Under water, birds row their wings and steer their tails. Like other sea birds, white-tailed eagles prey on guillemots from the air, chasing their victims until the tired birds can no longer dive and cease to resist. The voice is quiet.
Guillemots We all know that chicken eggs are oval. The same form and duck, and pigeon, and ostrich. The same eggs are laid by most other birds. But bird eggs come in a different form. In some they are round, and in guillemots they look like a pear. Kaira lays eggs in the shape of a pear, because she is forced to adapt to the natural conditions in which she lives. Guillemot is found in the north. In summer, autumn and winter, it lives far from the coast, in the open sea and feeds on fish. In spring, the guillemot moves ashore and settles on practically inaccessible rocks. The guillemot does not build nests and lays its eggs right on the rocky ledges of rocks. Round eggs from there would immediately roll down and break, and oval ones would break, so guillemots lay small eggs that look like a pear. Such eggs roll only in a circle and are held on small rocky ledges. After the female guillemots lay an egg, they, like other birds, incubate it in turn with the male. Birds in this case carefully lay the egg on the web of their paws. One of the parents sits on the egg and warms it, while the other flies into the sea to feed. Sometimes they both fly away to feed, and when they return, in some incomprehensible way they find their egg among thousands of similar eggs belonging to other guillemots. Obviously, guillemots recognize their eggs by color. In guillemots, the eggs are usually painted in the color of the rocks: grayish and spotty, but there are no two eggs that are completely identical in shade. After the chick hatches from the egg, he is no longer afraid of height. Murmur chicks, not even able to fly yet, can jump into the sea from a cliff up to 40 meters.
Ivory Gulls Not all migratory birds of the northern hemisphere fly south in winter. The pink gull, which lives in the north-east of Siberia and in Greenland, flies, on the contrary, to the north when frost sets in. There are many places on the shores of the Arctic Ocean where open water is preserved, not completely covered with ice, and here pink gulls spend the winter, feeding on fish and crustaceans.
The conditions of the Arctic are extremely harsh, but most of the animals living in this region have adapted and thrive either in the tundra or in the icy waters that surround the North Pole.
Many species have developed traits over time that allow them to survive in cold, barren habitats. These features include:
- thicker fur cover;
- fur that changes color depending on the season;
- a layer of fat that prevents the penetration of cold into the body;
- migration or hibernation to avoid the coldest months of the year.
The list below lists animals that live in the Arctic Circle, as well as those that live in the Arctic - an area located to the south and immediately adjacent to the Arctic.
Animals living in the Arctic
List of arctic animals with pictures and interesting information. You can get more information about many animals by clicking on the images.
Arctic fox
The arctic fox has some features that allow it to live in the difficult conditions of the Arctic. The most notable feature is its fur, which changes color from brown (summer coloration) to white (winter coloration). The thick fur coat provides the fox with good camouflage and excellent protection from the cold.
arctic hare
Polar hares dig holes underground. There they sleep and hide from frost and predators. Hares run very fast, reaching speeds up to 60 km / h.
Arctic terns are the real conquerors of nature. These incredible birds fly over 19,000 km a year. They can be seen in broad daylight much more often than any other animals and birds. Thanks to flights, terns have two summers a year.
This is one of the arctic predators that live in the coldest regions of northern Canada and other areas of the Arctic. The polar wolf is a subspecies of the gray wolf, smaller in size than the northwestern wolf, another subspecies of the wolf.
Since the polar wolf is found in the Arctic, unlike other subspecies, it is the least exposed to extermination by humans.
bald eagle
The bald eagle is the national symbol of America. Its habitat extends far beyond the Arctic. You can meet this beautiful bird throughout North America - from Canada to Mexico. The bald eagle is called the bald eagle due to the white feathers growing on its head. These birds often catch fish: diving down, they snatch fish from the water with their paws.
Beluga whale
Beluga whales are found off the coast of Russia, North America and Greenland. They are social animals and generally prefer to live in small groups of around 10 individuals. Their white coloring perfectly camouflages them under the Arctic ice.
caribou/reindeer
In Europe, the caribou is better known as the reindeer. The deer have adapted well to the cold climate of the North. In the nose, he has large cavities that serve to heat the frosty air. The hooves of the animal in winter become smaller and harder, due to this, it becomes much easier for the deer to walk on ice and snow. During migration, some herds of reindeer move great distances. No other land mammals living on our planet are capable of this.
Sheep Dalla
The habitat of Dall sheep is in the subarctic regions of North America. These animals are very agile and agile, which helps them to avoid predators in most cases.
Ermine
The ermine belongs to the weasel family. The name "stoat" is sometimes used only to refer to the animal in its white winter coat.
Stoats are fierce hunters that eat other rodents. Often they even move into the burrows of their victims instead of digging their own shelters.
polar shark
Polar sharks are mysterious animals. This photo was taken by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Polar sharks are mysterious giants that live in the Arctic region. This photo was taken by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Click on the image to learn more about this animal.
Most often, polar sharks are found in the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Canada and Greenland. Of all the shark species, they are the northernmost. These animals swim quite slowly and prefer to catch their prey while it sleeps. Also, polar sharks do not disdain to eat up what other predators left after their meal.
harp seal
At birth, harp seal pups have a yellow fur coat. It turns white after three days. As the animal matures, its coloration acquires a silvery-gray color. Harp seals have a thick layer of subcutaneous fat that retains heat well. The seals' flippers serve as a kind of heat exchangers: in summer, excess heat is removed through them, and in winter, due to the movements of the flippers in the water, the body is heated.
Lemming
Lemmings are small rodents with long soft fur. They are herbivores and feed on grass, leaves, and plant roots. In winter, lemmings remain active and do not hibernate. Before the onset of winter, they stock up, and also burrow under the snow to search for food.
Elk
Elk is the largest member of the deer family. Elk are most often found in Alaska, Canada, Russia and Scandinavia. Moose have one feature that distinguishes them from other representatives of the deer family. This feature lies in the fact that they are solitary animals and do not live in herds. As a rule, the elk moves slowly, without haste. But a frightened or angry forest giant can pose a serious danger.
Learn more about moose here: Moose Information
Musk ox (musk ox)
This musk ox is called musky because of the sharp musky smell that the males of this species emit in order to attract females to themselves during the mating season. Musk oxen have thick coats that keep them warm. Both males and females have long, curved horns.
Narwhal
The narwhal is a medium sized whale and is immediately recognizable by its long tusk protruding from the front of its head. This tusk is actually an overgrown front tooth. Narwhals spend the whole year in the Arctic waters that wash the coasts of Russia, Greenland and Canada.
killer whale
The killer whale is often referred to as the killer whale. This toothed whale belongs to the dolphin family. The killer whale has a very characteristic coloration: black back, white chest and belly. There are also white spots around the eyes. These predators prey on other marine life, for this they very often gather in groups. Killer whales occupy the top of the food pyramid, in natural conditions they have no enemies.
No list of Arctic animals can be considered complete without a polar bear. Polar bears are one of the types of predatory mammals. But unlike their forest relatives, they live on the Arctic coast and are able to swim long distances in cold water. They can also move quickly on snow and ice. Polar bears are the largest of all bears.
ptarmigan
In winter, partridges have white plumage, so it is difficult to see them in the snow. They find food under the snow, and in summer these birds feed mainly on berries, seeds and green shoots of plants. The white partridge has many local names, such as "white grouse" or "talovka", "alder".
Dead end (axe)
Puffins are amazing birds, they can both fly and swim. Short wings, like the fins of a fish, help them move quickly in the water column. Puffins have black and white feathers and brightly colored beaks. These birds form entire colonies on coastal rocks. From rocks, puffins dive into the water, where they look for food.
ringed seal
The ringed seal is the smallest type of seal. She has a small, cat-like head and a fat body. This seal got its name "ringed" from the fact that silvery rings are visible on its back and sides against the background of brown fur. Ringed seals prey on small fish.
sea otter
Sea otters are one of the largest representatives of the mustelid family, but at the same time, they are one of the smallest marine mammals. Sea otters spend more time in the water than on land. Thick and dense fur saves them from hypothermia.
white arctic goose
White Arctic geese spend the whole summer in the northern part of the USA and Canada, taking care of their offspring, and fly south by winter. During migration, these birds, as a rule, look out for agricultural fields. Here they feed by digging up the roots of plants with beaks adapted for digging the soil.
white hare
The white hare is white only in winter. In summer, its skin is brown. In addition, by winter, his hind legs are overgrown with thick hair, becoming large and fluffy. This prevents the hare from falling into the snow.
Walrus
The walrus is easily recognizable by its large tusks, long, stiff whiskers, and short flippers. Walruses, these large and heavy animals, used to be hunted a lot for their meat and fat. Now walruses are under state protection, and hunting for them is prohibited.
Wolverines are members of the mustelid family, they are famous for their habits, which make them one of the most cruel predators. These hardy little creatures are not afraid to attack animals much larger than themselves.
Beyond the Arctic Circle stretches the boundless harsh Arctic. This is the land of snowy deserts, cold winds and permafrost. Precipitation here is rare, and the sun's rays do not penetrate the darkness of the polar night for half a year.
What animals live in the Arctic? It is not difficult to imagine what kind of adaptability the organisms existing there must have, forced to spend a hard winter among snows and ice that burns with cold.
But, despite the harsh conditions, about two dozen species live in these parts. Arctic animals(on the a photo you can see their diversity). In the endless darkness, illuminated only by the northern lights, they have to survive and earn their living, hourly fighting for their existence.
Feathered creatures in the mentioned extreme conditions have it easier. Due to natural features, they have more opportunities for survival. That is why more than a hundred species live in the country of the ruthless north.
Most of them are migratory, leaving the boundless inhospitable land at the first sign of the approach of a harsh winter. With the onset of spring days, they return back to take advantage of the gifts of the miserly Arctic nature.
In the summer months, there is enough food beyond the Arctic Circle, and round-the-clock lighting - a consequence of a long, six-month-long, polar day helps animals and birds of the Arctic find the food you need.
Even in summer, the temperature in this area does not rise so much that the shackles of snow and ice that fall for a short time make it possible to take a break from difficulties in this snow-covered kingdom, perhaps for a short period of time, a month and a half, no more. Only cool summers and Atlantic currents bring heat to this region, warming, dead from the dominance of ice, water in the southwest.
In the photo, animals of the Arctic
However, nature took care of the possibility of preserving heat, the lack of which is felt even during the short summer, and its reasonable economy in living organisms: animals have long thick fur, birds have plumage suitable for the climate.
Most of them have a thick layer of much-needed subcutaneous fat. For many large animals, an impressive mass helps to generate the right amount of heat.
Some of the representatives of the fauna of the Far North are distinguished by small ears and legs, since such a structure makes it possible for them not to freeze, which greatly facilitates animal life in the arctic.
And birds, precisely for this reason, have small beaks. The color of the creatures of the described area, as a rule, is white or light, which also helps a variety of organisms to adapt and be invisible in the snow.
Such fauna of the Arctic. Surprisingly, many of the species of the northern fauna, in the fight against the complexities of the harsh climate and adverse conditions, interact with each other, which greatly helps them to jointly overcome difficulties and avoid dangers. And similar properties of living organisms are another proof of the intelligent structure of a multifaceted nature.
Polar bear
Description of the animals of the Arctic you should start with this creature - a bright representative of the fauna of the Far North. This is a large-sized mammal, inferior in size among mammals living on the planet, only to the sea elephant.
The males of this closest relative of the browns in some cases reach a mass of up to 440 kg. These are dangerous predators, not afraid of frost due to the existence of an excellent fur coat, white in winter and yellow in the summer months.
They swim well, do not slip on the ice because of the wool on the soles and roam, drifting on the ice floes. became the heroes of many beautiful legends and fairy tales about arctic animals for kids.
Reindeer
A very common inhabitant of the snowy tundra. There are wild ones, but some of them are domesticated by the peoples of the north. The length of their case is about two meters, and the height at the withers is just over a meter.
They are covered with wool, which changes its shade from gray to brown, depending on the season. They are the owners of branched horns, and their eyes glow yellow in the darkness of the polar night. Reindeer - another hero of famous legends about the animals of the Arctic.
Pictured is a reindeer
ptarmigan
Near the herds of reindeer, they try to stay. It is in this way that these birds gain access to food. Deer, tearing snow with their hooves in search of lichens, free the soil from the snow cover, while opening access to a source of food for their neighbors.
The northern partridge is a well-known bird, a real beauty of the permafrost region. In the period of severe frosts, it is almost completely snow-white, and only the tail is distinguished by a black tint.
Pictured is a white partridge
Seal
This is a mammal, a little less than two meters long and weighing up to 65 kg. Such creatures live mainly in deep-sea areas, where there is enough fish for them, which they usually eat.
These are the most numerous Arctic animals who prefer to live alone and usually do not leave their homes. They dig their spacious shelters from frost and uninvited guests right in the thickness of the snow, making holes outside for the possibility of exit and breathing. Cubs covered with white wool are born on ice floes.
Sea leopard
A ferocious arctic predator belonging to the seal family. Prefers loneliness, so they seem few in number. However, scientists believe that their population is estimated at half a million individuals.
The animal has a snake-like body, equipped with sharp teeth, but it looks quite elegant, although outwardly it differs significantly from representatives of its family.
Pictured is a sea leopard
Walrus
The largest pinniped inhabitant of the Arctic, having a size of more than 5 m and reaching a weight of about one and a half tons. by nature, they have impressive tusks almost a meter long, with which they are able to repulse even the most dangerous predator - a polar bear, who prefers not to mess with such prey, rarely showing interest in it.
Walruses have a strong skull and spine, thick skin. With the help of their sharp tusks, they tear the sea muddy soil, finding mollusks there - their main delicacy. This amazing creature, like many Arctic animals, in Red Book listed as rare.
polar Wolf
It is found in all corners of the Far North, but lives only on land, preferring not to go out on ice floes. Outwardly, this animal looks like a large-sized (weighing more than 77 kg) pointed-eared with a fluffy, usually lowered tail.
The color of thick two-layer fur is light. They are omnivorous and able to eat almost all types of food, but can live without food for a whole week.
polar Wolf
polar bear
It is considered the brother of the white, but differs in an elongated body, a more awkward structure; strong, thick, but short legs and wide feet, helping him when walking in the snow and swimming.
The attire is long, thick and shaggy fur, which has a milky yellow color, sometimes even snow-white. Its weight is about seven hundred kilograms.
polar bear
musk ox
Animals live in the Arctic with very ancient roots. Even primitive man hunted, and the bones, horns, skin and meat of these animals served as a great help to the ancestors of modern people in their difficult existence.
Males can reach a mass of up to 650 kg. The largest representatives of this type live in the west of Greenland. Impressive rounded hooves help musk oxen move on rocks and ice, rake thick snow in search of food.
They also have a wonderful sense of smell. The males are adorned with horns. Such a formidable weapon helps them defend themselves against, and wolverines.
snow sheep
It lives in Chukotka, is distinguished by a strong physique, impressive horns, thick brown-brown hair, an impressive head and a shortened muzzle. These creatures live in the middle mountains and on hilly terrain in small groups of up to five members.
Due to the shortage of fodder in the winter and low reproduction, as well as the damage caused by reindeer herding brigades, the snowy one was on the verge of destruction.
Pictured is a snow sheep
arctic hare
This is polar, which differs from its counterparts in large sizes. Outwardly, it looks like, and only longer ears are a distinguishing feature. The arctic hare lives in the tundra of Greenland and northern Canada. The animals are capable of speeds up to 65 km / h.
Ermine
Distributed in many regions, including a resident of the taiga and tundra. This is a nimble, voracious, predatory animal with an elongated body and a fluffy tail.
Eats animal food. Boldly attacks a prey that surpasses it in size, is able to successfully catch fish. does not dig holes, but looks for natural shelters for living.
arctic fox
A predator belonging to the canine family. He barks like a dog, has a long tail, and his paws are protected by hair. His endurance defies description, because he is able to endure fifty-degree frosts, escaping in intricate labyrinths dug in the snow with many exits.
The diet includes animal food, they mainly eat the meat of rodents and other small animals, not disdaining carrion. In summer, they saturate the body with stocks of herbs, algae and berries.
Pictured is a fox
Lemming
A small representative of the rodent family that inhabits the islands of the Arctic Ocean. The body is covered with variegated, gray-brown or gray fur. It has short ears and a tail, and its length usually does not exceed 15 cm.
Pictured animal lemming
Wolverine
A predatory representative of the marten family, awarded the nickname of the demon of the north, a ferocious hunter with a brutal appetite.
There are attacks by such creatures on livestock and even on humans, for which the animals, in turn, suffered, undergoing mass extermination. But in the summer they are happy to eat fruits, nuts and bird eggs.
Narwhal
This is either a large arctic, reaching a length of about 6 m, also called a sea unicorn, since male individuals are owners of a straight long tusk.
It is found off the coast of Greenland and Alaska, as well as in the northern waters of Canada. It has a brownish speckled color. The body has a streamlined shape ideal for swimming.
Narwhal (Sea unicorn)
bowhead whale
Much larger than the narwhal, although it is considered its closest relative. The whalebone and impressive tongue enable it to absorb the plankton that hardens in its plates, although this animal does not have teeth.
This is a very ancient harmless creature that has lived in cold waters for many millennia. Creatures are rightfully considered the largest representatives of the world fauna, their weight in some cases reaches almost 200 tons. They migrate between the seas of the two cold poles of the planet.
Pictured is a bowhead whale
killer whale
Mammals that are frequent inhabitants of cold waters. Black and white in color belongs to the order of cetaceans. Mostly lives at great depths, but often swim up to the coast. When moving, it is able to develop a record speed. This is a dangerous aquatic animal, nicknamed "killer whale".
polar cod
Fish belongs to the category of small creatures that inhabit the waters of the Arctic Ocean. Spending its life in the thickness of cold water, the polar one tolerates low temperatures without problems.
These aquatic creatures feed on plankton, which positively affects the balance of biological balance. They themselves serve as a source of food for a variety of birds of the north, seals and cetaceans.
Polar cod fish
Haddock
The fish is quite large (up to 70 cm). Usually weighs about two, but it happens that it reaches 19 kg. The body of this aquatic animal is wide, flattened from the sides, the back is dark gray, and the belly is milky. A characteristic black line runs along the body in a horizontal direction. Fish live in flocks and are a valuable trade commodity.
haddock fish
Beluga whale
Perfectly complements the rich world of the Arctic Ocean, also called the polar dolphin. The length of an aquatic animal is about six meters, the weight can reach two or more tons. This is a large predator, the owner of sharp teeth.
On the photo is a beluga whale
arctic cyanoea
It has a different name: the lion's mane, being considered the largest jellyfish among the aquatic inhabitants of the planet. Its umbrella reaches a diameter of up to two meters, and its tentacles are half a meter long.
Life does not last long, just one summer season. With the onset of autumn, these creatures die, and in the spring new, fast-growing individuals appear. Cyanea feeds on small fish and zooplankton.
jellyfish cyanoea
White Owl
Classified as a rare bird. Birds can be found throughout the tundra. They have a beautiful snow-white plumage, and to keep warm, their beak is covered with small bristles.
The white has many enemies, and such birds often become the prey of predators. They feed on rodents - frequent nest destroyers, which is very useful for other feathered inhabitants.
White Owl
Guillemot
Sea birds of the Far North arrange mass colonies, which are also called bird colonies. They are usually located on sea cliffs. - well-known regulars of such colonies.
They lay one egg that is bluish or greenish in color. And they incubate their treasure without leaving even for a minute. In the regions of exorbitant frosts, this is only a severe necessity. And the eggs, thoroughly heated from above by the body of birds, remain completely cold from below.
In the photo of a guillemot bird
Gaga
Occurs in all regions of the Arctic, nests near the Baltic coast and in the north of England, during the cold season flies south to ice-free reservoirs located in the center of Europe.
They protect their offspring from the cold by deliberately plucking their reddish-gray down, lining their nests. Such waterfowl spend almost their entire lives in sea waters, feeding on mollusks and mussels.
Pictured is a bird eider
polar goose
The bird is also called white for its impressive snow-white plumage, and only the tips of the wings of birds stand out with black stripes. They weigh about 5 kg, and their nests, like eiders, are lined with their own fluff.
These inhabitants of the Arctic coast escape from the deadly cold of the polar winter by flying away. This type of wild geese is considered quite rare.
polar white goose
polar gull
It has light gray plumage, slightly darker wings, yellowish-green beak, light pink paws. The main food of the polar is fish, but these birds also eat mollusks and eggs of other birds. They live for about two decades.
pink seagull
A fragile beautiful bird, adapted to the existence in the harsh regions of the Arctic, usually does not exceed 35 cm in size. The back and upper part of the plumage of the wings has a grayish-gray tint. Breeds in lower reaches of northern rivers. Became the object of unrestrained hunting because of the original shade of feathers.
Arctic Terns
The bird is famous for its range (up to 30 thousand kilometers) and duration (about four months) of flights, spending the winter in Antarctica. Birds fly north to the Arctic in early spring, creating huge nesting colonies.
Distinctive features are a forked tail and a black cap on the head. characterized by caution and aggressiveness. Their life expectancy is more than three decades.
Arctic Terns
Loon
Sea bird of the Arctic, inhabited mainly by waterfowl. spends time in the Far North mainly from May to October, being a migratory bird. It has the dimensions of a large one, dives and swims perfectly, and in moments of danger it deeply immerses the body in the water, leaving only one head outside.
Pictured is a loon bird
black goose
It is the smallest representative in the genus, nesting in the northern regions of the tundra. Its wings and back are dark brown in color, a white “collar” stands out on a black neck. Birds feed on algae, lichens and grass.
black goose
The Arctic is the region surrounding the North Pole, which includes almost the entire Arctic Ocean, Greenland, as well as the northern territories of the USA, Canada, Iceland, Scandinavia and Russia.
The climate is characterized by long, cold winters and short, cool summers. Precipitation in the Arctic usually falls in the form of snow. Many parts of the Arctic are arid and receive less than 500 mm of precipitation per year.
And, the inhabitants of the Arctic are well adapted to the harsh environment. Arctic vegetation is hardy and most native flora are compact in size, such as lichens, mosses, small shrubs and grasses. Animals such as Arctic hare, musk ox and pika graze on these plants. Other animals such as arctic foxes and wolves prey on herbivores.
Below are the various animals that inhabit the Arctic, as well as a brief description of their features that allow you to live in one of the harshest conditions on our planet.
Read also:
Wildlife of the Arctic:
arctic fox
(Alopex lagopus)- a medium-sized species of foxes that inhabits the Arctic. Arctic foxes feed on a variety of small animals including rabbits, lemmings, voles, birds, and carrion. They have thick fur that allows them to maintain a normal body temperature in the extreme cold conditions of the Arctic.
polar bear
(Ursus Maritimus)- one of the largest predators on Earth. Polar bears have a diet that consists almost entirely of ringed seals and seals. They also occasionally eat beached whale, walrus, and bird eggs. The range of polar bears is limited to the Arctic, where a large amount of ice and seals create ideal conditions for these ferocious predators.
Walrus
Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus)- a large marine mammal that inhabits the Arctic Ocean, the coast of Eastern Siberia, Wrangel Island, the Beaufort Sea and the coast of Northern Alaska. Walruses feed on a variety of animals, including shellfish, sea cucumbers, shrimp, tubeworm crabs, and other marine invertebrates. Walruses are threatened by several predators, including killer whales and polar bears.
musk ox
(Ovibos moschatus)- large ungulate mammals that belong to the same family as bison, antelope, goats and cattle. Musk oxen live in the tundra and the Arctic, where they feed on plant foods such as lichens, moss, flowers, grass, and roots. Thick and long coat helps to keep the body warm in extremely cold environments. The outer layer of long, coarse outer hairs protects against wind, while the inner layer of shorter ones provides insulation.
Musk oxen form large herds of two to three dozen individuals, which gives them protection from predators.
The range of harp seals extends on the ice of the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans, from Newfoundland to northern Russia.
It is located on the northernmost outskirts of Asia and North America, including all the islands in the Arctic basin, which are part of the polar geographic zone. The climate is arctic, with long and severe winters, summers are short and cold. Seasons don't exist. During the polar night - winter, and during the polar day - summer. Average temperatures are -10 to -35°, dropping to -50°. In summer - from 0° to + 5°. There is little precipitation (200-300 mm per year).
The vegetation is sparse, so the fauna of the Arctic deserts is relatively poor: these are the Arctic wolf, seal, walrus, seal, lemming, musk ox (musk ox), arctic fox, polar bear, reindeer, etc .; birds - guillemots, puffins, eiders, pink gulls, snowy owls, etc. Cetaceans are a separate group, for which the conditions of the Arctic do not create any problems.
The most numerous inhabitants of the harsh northern region are birds.
The pink gull is a fragile creature, with a weight of 250 grams and a body length of 35 cm, feels quite confident and freely spends harsh winters in the tundra, or above the sea surface, which is covered with drifting ice floes. Often joins the meals of larger predators.
Guillemot is a black and white bird that nests on high sheer cliffs and spends the winter in the ice without experiencing much discomfort.
The common eider is a northern duck that can easily dive in icy water to depths of up to 20 meters.
The most ferocious and largest among birds is the polar owl. A ruthless predator with beautiful yellow eyes, snow-white plumage preys on other birds, rodents, and sometimes on cubs of larger animals, such as arctic foxes.
Typical animals of the arctic deserts:
cetaceans
The narwhal is interesting for its long horn protruding from its mouth, which is an ordinary tooth, only with a length of 3 meters and a weight of 10 kg. Photo: One for all and all for one 🙂
The bowhead whale is a relative of the narwhal. But he is many times larger than him, and instead of a strange tooth, there is a whalebone in his mouth with a huge tongue, which is convenient for licking stuck plankton.
The polar dolphin or beluga whale is a large animal weighing up to 2 tons, with a length of up to 6 meters, feeding on fish.
The killer whale ranks first among the largest and strongest marine predators in the Arctic waters, where it preys on beluga whales, walruses, seals and seals.
Beasts
Seals are animals that make up a special Arctic cohort that has been living in this region for thousands of years.
This species includes the harp seal with a very beautiful patterned skin.
