Insect#2

The mosquito is a common flying insect that is found around the world. There are about 2,700 species of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can fly about 1 to 1.5 miles per hour. Females drink blood and the nectar of plants. The males only sip plant nectar. When a female bites, she also injects an anticoagulant Chemical into the prey to keep the victim's blood flowing. She finds her victims by sight and smell, and also by detecting their warmth. Not all mosquito species bite humans.

Insect#1

The Arctic springtail, also known as the snow flea, is a tiny six-legged insect that grows up to 1/3-inch long. Springtails lack wings and are named for their ability to jump when in danger. Their body color can be pale brown, white, purple or red and some have patterns. Springtails feed on organic waste on the tundra's forest floor. They survive the freezing temperatures by dehydrating into a small husk. Then when temperatures warm during the summer the springtails re-hydrate and continue activities including searching for food.

Mammal#4

Adult male polar bears weigh from 775 to 1,200 pounds. A few weigh more than 1,200 pound, Females normally weigh 330 to 650 pounds. Polar bears are white with fluffy fur and a black nose. They sit by the open water and wait for seals to come to land and then they eat them. Female bears give birth to 2 cubs at the most.Cubs stay with their moms until they are 2 to 2 1/2 years.

Bird #4

The Rock Ptarmigan is 34-36 cm long, 13-14 inch long. the wing spand is 54-60 cm wide. They live in mountains and make their homes in rocks high up so no preators can eat the young. They mostly eat birch and willow buds, but also eat seeds, flowers, leaves, and berries. The are white in the winter and brown in the summer. The prey of this bird would be another bird like an eagle. Befor they make the male will croak really loudly and a female will come, the male then straightens the comb and they mate.

Plant#2

The arctic willow is 15-20 cm in height. It has many different shapes, but sometimes has long trailing branches that root where they touch the surface. Salix arctica has made many adaptations to the cold climate of the North American tundra. In its strongest growth season the Salix arctica forms a pesticide to keep insects like the Arctic woolly bear away. It has also adapted to the permafrost by growing a shallow root system. The leaves of the Salix arctica have also adapted to the cold weather by growing long fuzzy hairs. The Tundra is a delicate place where tire tracks can last for years. The Arctic willow has adapted well in these frigid non-fertile conditions.

Plant#1

Arctic moss is a plant found growing on the bottom of tundra lake beds and in and around bogs and fens. It is a member of the Siberian tundra biome. Like all mosses, Arctic moss is a bryophyte. They have rhizoids (tiny rootlets) instead of roots. They never have wood stems. They have tiny leaves, usually only one cell thick. There are lots of leaves on the stem. They do not have flowers. They can either reproduce by growing shoots or by sending out spores, which need to be wet to survive. The Arctic moss has adapted well to its cold climate. When it is not growing, it stores nutrients so new leaves can be made quickly next spring. The more leaves the more they can photosynthesize. It is adapted to the incredibly strong winds because it grows near to the ground. Because it can grow under water it is protected from the drying winds and cold, dry air of the frozen tundra. Its long life and slow growth are probably adaptations to the short growing season and the cold. In the arctic, moss covers the ground and warms it up allowing other plants to grow. It is eaten by migrating animals such as birds. Some type of arctic moss was frozen for thousands of years and is helping scientists learn about life on our planet.