Tundra Animals | List of Tundra Animals With Description and Images

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Tundra Animals: The weather of the Tundra is extremely harsh and cold, and survival in those weather conditions becomes quite tricky, especially for animals. But there are some animals that have adapted themselves to the freezing temperature of the Tundras. These animals are known as the Tundra animals.

In this specific article, we have made a list of Tundra animals. Here along with their scientific names, we have also provided some basic information about the list of Tundra animals mentioned so that you can remember them quickly and get as much information about them as possible.

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List of Tundra Animals

Name of Tundra Animals

Fascinating facts on the tundra animals on the list

Polar Bear

The polar bear is a type of hyper carnivorous bear, i.e., their diet includes 70% of meat either through scavenging or predation. This bear is founded mainly within the Arctic Circle. They are the largest extant bear species and land carnivores.

They look adorable and cuddly but are excellent hunters and mainly hunt and feed on seals. They are also hunted for their fur, tendons, meat, heart, etc.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Carnivora
Family Ursidae
Genus Ursus
Scientific name Ursus maritimus

Grizzly Bear

Even known as North American Brown Bear, these bears are endemic to North America and are a type of brown bear. Their furs are grizzled and tipped, and they can feed on both animals and plants.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Carnivora
Family Ursidae
Genus Ursus
Scientific name Ursus arctos horribilis

Brown Bear

It is a unique type of beer that is among one of the largest terrestrial animals. Brown bears are known as state and national animals in many European countries.

These bears primarily feed on vegetable matters like berries, flowers, mushrooms, etc., but they also feed on smallish mammals. Brown bears are very skilled and intelligent as well.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Carnivora
Family Ursidae
Genus Ursus
Scientific name Ursus arctos

Tundra Vole

Tundra vole is a medium-sized vole that is found in Asia, Northern Europe, northwestern North America, and Central Europe. It has yellowish-brown fur along with short tails and ears.

Tundra voles feed on grasses, seeds, and sedges and are active during the whole year.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Rodentia
Family Cricetidae
Genus Microtus
Scientific name Microtus oeconomus

Ringed Seal

It is an earless seal that lives in the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. They are consumed by the people of the Arctic and are relatively more minor in size, with a length of 1.5 m. They are found in a wide range and feed on different types of fishes and invertebrates. Ringed seals are one of the most unique and common prey of polar bears and killer whales.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Carnivora
Clade Pinnipedia
Family Phocidae
Genus Pusa
Scientific name Pusa hispida

Peregrine Falcon

It is a large, crow-sized, cosmopolitan bird of prey. The peregrine falcon is alternatively known as the duck hawk, and it is the fastest member of the animal kingdom and the fastest bird in the world.

They feed on small reptiles, mammals, medium-sized birds, and insects. This bird is almost found everywhere except very high mountains, extreme polar regions, New Zealand, and certain tropical rainforests.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Falconiformes
Family Falconidae
Genus Falco
Scientific name Falco peregrinus

Walrus

It is a flippered and sizeable marine mammal that is found in the North Pole in the Arctic Ocean and sub-Arctic seas of the Northern Hemisphere. They live in shallow water and are hunted for their tusks, meat, bone, fat, and skin.

Walrus feeds on different marine organisms like mollusks, shrimps, sea cucumbers, crabs, etc. Even though large in size, they hey are not aggressive and are pretty gentle-natured.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Carnivora
Family Odobenidae
Genus Odobenus
Scientific name Odobenus rosmarus

Chinstrap Penguin

It is a type of penguin that is found in the islands of the Antarctic Ocean and Southern Pacific Ocean. Their call is extraordinarily harsh and loud, and they also have a black band under their name, which resembles their name. They feed on small fishes, shrimps, krill, and squids.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Sphenisciformes
Family Spheniscidae
Genus Pygoscelis
Scientific name Pygoscelis antarcticus

Tundra Animals 1

Yellow-eyed Penguin

The yellow-eyed penguin is native to New Zealand and is also known as tara, aka or hoiho. They have yellow eyes and yellow feathers surrounding their eyes and head.

The yellow-eyed penguins are usually quiet but sometimes make a shrill voice at their nest and feed on different types of fish.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Sphenisciformes
Family Spheniscidae
Genus Megadyptes
Scientific name Megadyptes antipodes

Weddell Seal

Belonging from the family of authentic seals, the Weddell seal is a large and abundant seal. These seals are carnivorous and feed on prawns, squid, octopuses, fishes, etc.

Weddell seals are found below the ice of the Antarctic, and they do not possess the habit of migrating very often.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Carnivora
Family Phocidae
Genus Leptonychotes
Scientific name Leptonychotes weddellii

Rock Ptarmigan

Belonging to the family of grouse, rock ptarmigan is a medium-sized game bird. The food sources of a rock ptarmigan differ according to its location.

Rock ptarmigan is the official bird for the territory of Nunavut. For the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, this bird is their official game bird. It is also the official bird of Nagano, Toyama, and Gifu prefectures.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Galliformes
Family Phasianidae
Genus Lagopus
Scientific name Lagopus muta

Bald Eagle

It is a bird of prey that is found in North America. The bald eagle prefers to live near large water bodies near which there is an abundant supply of food. It mainly feeds on fish. The legal national bird of the USA is the unique bald eagle. They are also known for building the most giant tree nests ever.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Accipitriformes
Family Accipitridae
Genus Haliaeetus
Scientific name Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Snow Leopard

The snow leopard is a unique carnivorous mammal that is endemic to the mountain ranges of Central Asia and South Asia. It is listed as vulnerable since the population of these leopards is declining at a great rate. They are hunted for their skin and body parts that are illegally traded.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Carnivora
Family Felidae
Genus Panthera
Scientific name Panthera uncia

Beluga Whale

It is a white colored Arctic and sub-Arctic whale and is a member of the Monodontidae family. Beluga whales do not possess any dorsal fin and are also very slow swimmers.

They are very charming, graceful, and have excellent communication skills. Beluga whales are migratory and are hunted for their meat and also for sale.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Artiodactyla
Family Monodontidae
Genus Delphinapterus
Scientific name Delphinapterus leucas

Tundra Animals 2

Cape Petrel

It is a common seabird belonging to the family of Procellariidae and can be spotted in the Southern Ocean. The cape petrel looks very different and unique and feeds on fishes, crustaceans, and squids.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Procellariiformes
Family Procellariidae
Genus Daption
Scientific name Daption capense

Tundra Swan

It is among the smallest holarctic swans and lives in the shallow waters of the Arctic and sub-Arctic Tundra. Tundra swans are migratory birds, and they feed on aquatic vegetation. Foraging of these swans begins during the day, and they are known to be quite territorial.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Anseriformes
Family Anatidae
Genus Cygnus
Scientific name Cygnus columbianus

Arctic Tern

The arctic tern is a tern that belongs to the Laridae family. It is spotted in the Arctic and sub-Arctic areas of Asia, Europe, and North America. They are medium-sized birds and can live up to 30 years.

These terns feed on fish and other marine invertebrates. It has worldwide breeding and is known for its migration.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Laridae
Genus Sterna
Scientific name Sterna paradisaea

Orca

Alternatively known as the killer whale, Orca is a toothed whale and is the most prominent member of the dolphin family. These whales are found from the Arctic and Antarctic areas to the tropical seas.

Orcas feed on fish, deals, and other dolphin species. They are not considered a danger for human beings.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Artiodactyla
Family Delphinidae
Genus Orcinus
Scientific name Orcinus orca

Narwhal

It is a middle-sized toothed whale and has a large tusk. Found in the Arctic waters, Orcas are deprived of a dorsal fin.

These whales feed on benthic prey like flatfish, Arctic cod, green Halibut, etc. They are hunted for their meat and ivory.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Artiodactyla
Family Monodontidae
Genus Monodon
Scientific name Monodon monoceros

Himalayan Tahr

The Himalayan tahr is an even-toed, large ungulate that is endemic to the Himalayas in Nepal, Southern Tibet, Northern India, and Western Bhutan. They have tiny legs, a small head, and horns.

Himalayan tahrs are herbivorous animals, and they usually feed on woody plants. They are near threatened due to their declining rate because of habitat loss and hunting.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Artiodactyla
Family Bovidae
Genus Hemitragus
Scientific name Hemitragus jemlahicus

Snowy Owl

Belonging to the true owl family, the snowy owl is a large, white owl and has different names. They are endemic to the Arctic regions of Northern America and Palearctic, and these owls are the only owls with large white plumage.

Active during the day, unlike other owls, snowy owls feed on small mammals and northerly water birds. These birds are very busy and unpredictable.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Strigiformes
Family Strigidae
Genus Bubo
Scientific name Bubo scandiacus

Musk Ox

It is a hoofed mammal that belongs to the Bovidae family. Musk oxen are endemic to the Arctic regions and are famous for their thick coat. The males tend to emit a strong odor during the seasonal rut in order to attract females in the mating season. They feed on woody plants, lichens, mosses, willows, and leaves.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Artiodactyla
Family Bovidae
Genus Ovibos
Scientific name Ovibos moschatus

Arctic Fox

Alternatively known as the white fox or snow fox, the Arctic fox is a small fox that is endemic to the Arctic areas of the Northern Hemisphere. They have thick and warm fur along with a large and fluffy tail. They prey and feed on many small animals like fish, ringed seal pups, lemmings, waterfowl, etc. It also eats berries, insects, carrion, etc.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Carnivora
Family Canidae
Genus Vulpes
Scientific name Vulpes Lagopus

Yak

It is a domesticated cattle with long hair that can be spotted in the Himalayan area of the Indian subcontinent, Northern Myanmar, Sichuan, Tibetan plateau, Yunnan, Mongolia, and Siberia. They are bred for obtaining their milk, meat, and fiber. Yaks are also used for transporting goods across mountain passes.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Artiodactyla
Family Bovidae
Genus Bos
Scientific name Bos grunniens

Pika

The pika is a mountain-dwelling, small mammal that has a round body along with shorts limbs and ears. Found in North America and Asia, pikas are known for their high pitched alarm call and are known as whistling hares because of that. They feed on grasses, hay, soft twigs, flowers, etc.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Lagomorpha
Family Ochotonidae
Genus Ochotona
Scientific name Ochotona

Lemming

It is a unique small rodent found in the Tundra biomes of the Arctic. According to a myth, lemmings commit mass suicide by jumping off from cliffs together. They are herbivorous and feed on berries, grasses, roots, bulbs, shoots, lichens, etc.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Rodentia
Family Cricetidae
Scientific name Lemmini

Arctic Hare

Arctic hare is a type of hare that has adapted itself for living in the Arctic tundra and other similar icy biomes. They have short ears, short limbs, and thick fur. These hares dig holes under the snow to sleep and keep themselves warm.

They are folivores but also feed on meat and fish sometimes. These hares eat snow in order to drink water.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Lagomorpha
Family Leporidae
Genus Lepus
Scientific name Lepus arcticus

Kea Parrot

It is a type of large parrot that is spotted in the forested and alpine areas of the South Island of New Zealand. Kea is an endangered species and is the only alpine parrot in the entire world. Kea parrots feed on berries, nectar, leaves and are very intelligent and curious. They can make and use tools on their own.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Psittaciformes
Family Nestoridae
Genus Nestor
Scientific name Nestor notabilis

Marmot

It is a type of ground squirrel that is larger in size and is found in Europe, North America, and Asia. Marmots are herbivores and feed on leaves, roots, lichens, flowers, etc.

Typically living in burrows, marmots are the heaviest member of the squirrel family. They hibernate during winters and usually during summer are spotted in groups.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Rodentia
Family Sciuridae
Genus Marmota
Scientific name Marmota

Chinchilla

It is a type of crepuscular rodent that is endemic to the Andes Mountain in South America. They live in herds and are usually hunted for their extra-soft fur that is used for making clothing and other accessories.

They are known to be good house pets but require proper care. Chinchillas feed on fruits, leaves, seeds, small insects, etc.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Rodentia
Family Chinchillidae
Genus Chinchilla
Scientific name Chinchilla

Caribou

Commonly known as reindeer, Caribou is a deer species that is endemic to the Arctic, Tundra, and mountainous regions of northern North America, Northern Europe, and Siberia. They are hunted for their antlers, milk, hide, and milk.

The people of the Arctic region are also depended upon Caribou for their clothing, shelter, transportation, etc. They feed on lichens, willow leaves, fish, bird eggs, etc.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Artiodactyla
Family Cervidae
Genus Rangifer
Scientific name Rangifer tarandus

Mountain Goat

A mountain goat is a hoofed mammal that can be easily spotted in the cliffs of the mountainous area of western North America. It is a very versatile eater and feeds on grasses, shrubs, herbs, lichens, etc.

They have beards, short tails, dense, white, wooly double coats, and long black horns.

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Mammalia
Order Artiodactyla
Family Bovidae
Genus Oreamnos
Scientific name Oreamnos americanus

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