They have long, cold winters with high winds and average temperatures below freezing for six to ten months of the year. On average, only six to ten weeks of the year have sufficiently warm temperatures and long days for plant growth. This is why the Tundra is considered a treeless polar desert.

Location: Found in high latitude locations within polar regions. (Arctic Tundra: Alaska, Canada, Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Scandinavia and Antarctica) (Alpine Tundra is located on tall mountains where temperatures are below freezing.

Permanent frozen ground (permafrost) prevents trees from taking root, which is why there are no trees in the Tundra.

Also known as snow fox / polar fox / white fox

Red fox

Tundra regions typically get less than 25 centimeters (10 inches) of precipitation annually, which means these areas are also considered deserts. This means there isn't enough water to support trees

Animals in the tundra are also adapted to extreme conditions. They take advantage of the temporary explosion of plant and insect life in the short growing season. These animals build up stores of fat to sustain and insulate them through the winter. They also have thick coats of fur for further insulation. Some save energy by hibernating during the long winter months. Others migrate to warmer climes during winter. Many birds also migrate into the tundra during the growing season to feed, mate, and nest.

Is thought to have survived until now since the ice age!

Humans have been part of the tundra ecosystem for thousands of years. The indigenous people of Alaska's tundra regions are the Aleut, Alutiiq, Inupiat, Central Yup'ik and Siberian Yupik. Originally nomadic, Alaska Natives have now settled in permanent villages and towns.