It may seem to many that the fauna of cold countries is scarce, and fauna can be counted on the fingers. However, this is not quite true. For example, in the Arctic there are many animals and birds. The main ones are polar bears.
Beyond the Arctic Circle are the tundra and forest-tundra zones, and a little to the north - the zone of the Arctic desert. The main difference between such places from the rest is the polar long night, short summers and fairly low temperatures. Only creatures that can cope with harsh climatic conditions can live there. Over the years, animals from cold countries have adapted to both low temperatures and complex feeding processes.
Polar bear
So which animals live in the north? The polar bear is the largest predator of the Arctic living on Earth. By their power and size, these animals of cold countries are second only to their brown relatives, who live in Russia and Alaska. Most polar bears live on pack ice and in coastal areas.
There is a lot of plankton in the high tide, which other animals and fish eat. It is these representatives of the fauna that are the main prey for polar bears. They usually prey on small seals. In the Arctic, these animals are enough. The polar bear makes a den in the ice. Females give birth to one or more cubs.
How to hunt a polar bear
In search of seals, polar bears stand on their hind legs and sniff. It is worth noting that these animals of cold countries, whose photos are impressive, can smell their prey per kilometer. The polar bear usually approaches the victim from the leeward side. As a result, the wind does not bring the smell of the earner to the seal. Bears crawl to the rookery of seals on their belly. Many claim that this animal covers its black nose with its paw to be more invisible. After the polar bear selects the prey, he grabs it in a deft throw.
If seals rest on an ice floe, then hunting becomes even easier. The bear swims to the victim and simply pulls the nearest seal into the water.
The most interesting thing is that these animals of the northern countries are able to save food supplies for more difficult periods. Often, Arctic ice is clamped in the narrow wormwood of killer whales. The bear stuns its prey with powerful blows and, throwing it off the coast, stacks it in piles.
Also, these predators do not mind eating walruses. However, he cannot catch them in the open polar bear. After all, walruses are much stronger than them. Therefore, the bears run around the rookery and growl. Shy walruses panic rush into the sea. It remains for the bears to pick up crushed cubs and wounded adult animals.
In summer, an Arctic predator visits the tundra to diversify its diet with nesting birds, lemmings, mosses, berries and lichens.
Arctic fox
These animals are found in many Arctic ecosystems of almost the entire Northern Hemisphere. Arctic foxes live even in Iceland. Here, this species is considered the only mammal that lives on the surface of the Earth. Arctic Foxes appeared in Iceland after the last ice age. Animals simply crossed the frozen water to a volcanic island. Arctic foxes look very much like foxes. In Scandinavia, this species is considered endangered. For decades, these animals have been protected.
Sea leopard
The animal world of the north is amazing and diverse. The most successful and brave hunter of Antarctica is the sea leopard. This animal grabs its prey with sharp teeth. At the same time, sea leopards give preference to crabeater seals and penguins, but also do not deny themselves large quantities of krill. These animals of cold countries have a long body, which can reach three meters. An adult sea leopard weighs about 300 kilograms on average. It should be noted that males are inferior in size to females. The birth of cubs is carried out in the summer on pack ice.
Caribou
Forest caribou - this is the reindeer, which was tamed. This species lives in southern Alaska, in Greenland, Russia and Canada. It is worth noting that this is the only species of deer, where both females and males have horns. These domesticated animals are protected because they are an endangered species.
Wolverine
Many at the thought of Wolverine imagine a fierce and dangerous predator that looks like a wolf. In fact, these animals of cold countries belong to the family of marten. Outwardly, the wolverine is more like a river otter. The claws of these animals tend to stretch in half. However, Wolverine uses them mainly for climbing or digging.
Lynx
These animals are not well understood. Of course, everyone knows that lynxes belong to the cat family and are relatively small in size. They have fairly long legs and, of course, wide legs. It is difficult to do without in harsh climates. This structure of the paws greatly facilitates movement in deep snow.
Mostly lynx hunt small white hares. It is worth noting that in the 1970s, these felines were considered an extinct species. However, after some time, the lynx reappeared. Today, these animals belong to those species that are on the verge of extinction. Therefore, lynx hunting is prohibited.
Hare
Animals in cold countries survive in completely different ways. Take at least hare-hares. This species lives mainly in the northern part of Greenland, Canada and Alaska. In winter, animal fur becomes snow-white. This provides them with maximum camouflage in the snow. In the summer period, the color of the hare, as a rule, is gray-brown. It is worth noting that this species is not endangered.
Red fox
This animal can be found on any continent. The exception in this case is Antarctica. It is worth noting that they are considered very dangerous in almost all ecosystems. For example, in 1855, a red fox was introduced to Australia exclusively for recreational hunting. However, this species has taken root here. After only 150 years, the red fox has become a threat to the huge number of populations of mammals and birds that live on this small continent.
Seals
These wild animals of cold countries make up a special group. Seals have been living in the Arctic region for more than one millennium. There are several varieties: Greenland, sea hare, ringed seal and common seal.
Harp seal differs from its relatives in a beautiful pattern on its skin. But the sea hare is the largest. The growth of this animal averages 2.5 meters. The sea hare weighs almost 400 kilograms.
As for the common seal, it is inferior in size and color to its brethren. However, their feature is expressive and very beautiful eyes. Ringed seal also belongs to seals. Representatives of this species are much smaller than other species, but they are more mobile, and also know how to dig holes in the snow.
Walruses
These are the closest relatives of seals. Walruses are pinniped animals and are quite large. Their body length can reach three meters. Moreover, the weight of an adult animal is on average almost a ton. Walruses have powerful fangs. They need them to dig up the seabed. Here, animals prey on mollusks, which make up the bulk of their diet. Often, walruses use their fangs for both defense and attack. After all, these animals are predators and can easily eat seals or seals.
Lemming
This variety of rodents is of particular importance for the entire wildlife of the Arctic. Lemmings are slightly smaller in size than mice and are the main food for many animals. For example, the population of polar owls depends on the number of these rodents. It is worth noting that in those years when there are very few lemmings, this bird does not even nest. Also, the existence of Arctic foxes depends on the amount of these rodents. These animals do not travel if the number of lemmings is small.
Although the diet of reindeers consists mainly of plants, they are also not averse to feasting on these animals.
Finally
The Arctic zone is a huge space stretching from the Aleutian Islands to Iceland. Cold and endless ice reign here. The Arctic zone - coasts covered with a thick layer of ice, rocky islands, boundless tundra and icy waters of the Arctic Ocean. In this part of the world, everything looks unfriendly, gloomy and stern. An integral part of the nature of the Arctic are polar nights and days, heavy snowfalls, fogs and icy winds.
What animals live in the north? Who is able to withstand such conditions? Oddly enough, in the midst of snow drifts and eternal ice life is seething. This is indicated by the cries of birds, and the growl of polar bears, and the roar of walruses. The fauna of cold countries is amazing and unique. Many representatives of the fauna in the northern parts of the continents are on the verge of extinction and need protection.