Herbivores
The arctic tundra supports a variety of herbivores including vast herds of caribou, musk-oxen and arctic hare, while the alpine tundra includes moutainous goats and sheep. These animals are all adapted to cold weather and limited forage to facilitate survival in such harsh conditions. Many of these animals also migrate to southern areas during the coldest months, and have young that develop quickly to ensure survival (the tundra biome).
Carnivores
The carnivores that inhabit the tundra include the grizzly bear, the polar bear, and the artic fox. These animals are solitary, reducing competition for food in a limited resource environment. They are adapted to the cold by having a thick, often double layered fur coat and both species of bear have thick layers of fat to help them conserve heat (Blue). These animals often bear 2 cubs to guarentee that at least one will reach maturity to continue the species.
Birds
In the brief summer, birds flock to the tundra to feed on the multitudes of insects that develop in the bogs and shallow lakes. These birds include ravens, snow buntings, falcons, loons, sandpipers, terns, snowy owls, and several species of gulls. They feed on the mosquitoes, flies, moths, grasshoppers, blackflies and midges that use the stagnant water as a breeding ground (the tundra biome). Most birds only stay for the warm season before heading back south to warm temperatures, but some, like the ptarmigan, live on the tundra year round.