The Arctic is a fascinating place full of many different kinds of land and sea animals. These animals all have their own habitat and not all of it is frozen. The animals vary in size and characteristics and are well adapted to the harshness of the area.

The Arctic consists of eight nations. They are Canada, Denmark (Greenland),Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States. One reason that it is a very important area is because of how it affects the weather patterns in the northern hemisphere.

The arctic land is mainly tundra and it is frozen above the tree line. It is covered with hearty plants like moss and lichen, which the caribou and muskox feed on. The arctic animals that live here are hearty creatures because they must be able to withstand the low temperatures, precipitation and strong winds that are common in the Arctic. These animals live all over the Arctic and most do not go below the arctic circle or 66-1/2 degrees north latitude. Each of them are vital and significant to each other and also to the arctic people for survival.

The Arctic animals are the Arctic fox, the wolf, the Arctic hare, the Arctic tern, the Caribou, Collared Lemming, Doll sheep, Musk ox, Snowy owl and the wolverine. There is also a wide range of marine mammals and fish that live in the severe conditions of the Arctic ocean. Whales, dolphins (narwhal), walruses and seals all make their home in this North Polar region. This region is covered by ice most of the year. The great polar bear depends on these marine mammals and fish for his food.


The video below shows the animals in their daily dance of life in the Arctic. It is quite spectacular to see. It is not an easy life but it is all they know and they thrive where others dare not tread.