5 CHAPTER ONE Arctic foxes live in the northernmost areas of Asia and North America LIFE IN THE TUNDRA A tiny arctic fox raises its pointy ears It hears a polar bear in the distance The fox begins moving toward the sound The long cold winter on the tundra is finally coming to an end It will still be a while before the plants start growing again though Food has been scarce for the arctic fox lately Most of the birds flew south long ago
Limited Wildlife The tundra is home to many types of plants and animals However the variety is not as great as in other parts of the world This lower biodiversity is due in part to a harsh climate Only those species that have adapted to the cold can survive 6 The fox relies on polar bears for most of its meals Once a bear finishes eating the fox eats the scraps Even a polar bear usually cannot eat a whole seal With its white fur the fox easily blends in with the snowy terrain Just in case the bear is still nearby the fox moves slowly and quietly It does not want to become the bear’s next meal A Cold Harsh Place Life on the arctic tundra can be harsh This frosty ecosystem is found in the northernmost areas of the globe Alaska Canada Greenland and Russia all have vast tundra regions As the weather gets colder each year many animals leave the tundra They return in the spring The animals that stay have special traits to help them survive the frigid winter
Polar bears are the largest carnivores of the tundra 7
