Tundra

Arctic · extreme climate · nature zones · survival

Super cold and treeless. The tundra is one of the coldest places on Earth where temperatures drop far below freezing. Trees cannot grow there because the cold and short summers do not give them enough time to survive.

Three types of tundra. Arctic tundra wraps around the North Pole, Antarctic tundra surrounds the South Pole, and alpine tundra sits high on mountain peaks. Each one is frozen and windswept, but they are in very different parts of the world.

Tough little plants. Instead of trees, the tundra is covered with small plants like mosses, lichens, and low shrubs that hug the ground to survive fierce winds. These plants grow slowly and stay short and stubby.

Animals adapted for cold. Polar bears, Arctic foxes, musk oxen, and caribou have thick fur and special bodies built to handle extreme cold. They migrate or hibernate to find food and shelter through the harsh winters.

Short growing season. The tundra only has a few warm months in summer when plants can grow and animals can find food. For most of the year, the land is locked in ice and snow.