Animal + Plant Adaptations in polar and tundra environments

Polar Animals: How have polar bears adapted?

Fur on the soles of their feet for better grip on ice and insulation

Large body means small SA:V ratio and reduces heat losses

Large feet spread the load on the snow and ice

Thick layer of blubber serves as insulation and an energy store for winter

Polar Animals: How have (grey) seals adapted?

Streamlined taper down into tail to move through the water with minimum resistance

Encased with blubber, smooth outline to reducedrag and serves as insulation in polar conditions

Large eyes - flattened corneas and pupils that can open wide to let light in

Polar Animals: How have Arctic foxes adapted?

Thick fur on the paws that insulates them from snow and ice and provides grip on slippery surfaces

Fur on tail provides extra insulation when needed, and can be used for extra insulation when the fox sleeps or in extreme cold

Polar Animals: How have penguins (emperor) adapted?

Webbed feet for powerful swimming

Wings shaped like flippers - helps them ‘fly’ underwater at speeds up to 15mph

Tightly packed feathers that overlap to provide waterproofing and warmth

Polar Plants: How have sulphur butter-cups adapted?

Cup shaped so the sun rays are directed towards the centre of the flower

In clusters to protect them from harsh, freezing conditions

Polar Plants: How have dryas adapted?

They take the nitrogen from the atmosphere and store it on their roots in nodules

Their centre stamens are bright yellow and track the sun

Polar Plants: How have bearberries adapted?

Leathery leaves and silky head provides protection from the cold and windy

Small silky hairs for warmth

Grows slowly so it can stay out of the cold

Tundra animals: How have caribou adapted?

Compact, stocky bodies with a short tail and ears to avoid losing body heat

Noses with special chambers for holding heat and moisture from their breath to warm incoming arctic air before it can chill their lungs

Split hooves to spread apart and bear more wight without sinking into snow / wet ground. Also act as paddles when swimming.

Tundra animals: How have tundra swans adapted?

Long neck and bill aid their search for food

Quick swimmers and flyers, if they spot predators nearby they can fly away or escape quickly to save themselves

Able to migrate during harsh conditions

Tundra animals: How have tundra arctic hare (snowshoe) adapted?

Fur turns white in winter which helps blend in with the snow to camoflauge them better. In summer, the fur returns to its grey or brownish colour, which blends in with the hares surroundings.

Long and strong front claws for digging into hard packed snow

Large hind legs providing additional surface area and support for walking on snow

Tundra animals: How have shrews and small animals adapted?

Able to keep warm because they can live under the snow. Useful as temperatures under the snow are usually 7 degrees warmer than the air temperature above the snow.

Tundra Plants: How have arctic moss adapted?

Grows near the ground to survive during very strong winds

Long life and slow growth so are adapted to the short growing season and the cold

Tundra Plants: How have diamond-leaf willow adapted?

Forms a pesticide to keep predators away

Forms shallow roots to keep from freezing over

Hairs on their stems to keep warm and protect the plant from the cold climate

Tundra Plants: How have Labrador teas adapted?

Grows low to ground and in clusters to avoid the climate of the tundra

Grow silky wool on stems to keep it warm