A large variety of animals live in the tundra for the whole year. They have special adaptations that allow them to survive in the winter weather. Some of these include: short legs; long hair; and a coat of thick fur. They have short tails and large, furry feet. Many animals have white fur which camoflauges them against the snow.
Every ten or thirteen years, the small mammals in the tundra breed in large numbers. The larger animals also grow in number because of the increase in their food supply. Soon the small mammals run out of plants to eat and many die. The larger animals begin to die and then the plants can grow back.
Some animals that live in the tundra are polar bears, caribou, and snowy owls.
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Caribou are animals that are often called reindeer. They have thick fur to protect them from the cold weather of the tundra. |