2.4.4

Adaptations of Animals to Cold Environments

Test yourself

How are Animals Adapted to Cold Environments?

Animals have to evolve to deal with water coming from permafrost or the sea, a lack of shelter from the wind and extreme temperatures.

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Walruses and seals

  • Walruses and seals store lots of fat or blubber in their bodies to keep them warm during the extremely cold months.
  • This acts as a layer of insulation against the cold.
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Birds

  • Many birds will migrate very long distances to avoid the coldest winter months in tundra and polar environments.
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Reindeer

  • Polar bears hibernate in winter. Reindeer do not.
  • Reindeer have fur on their hooves to stop them slipping on ice, they have learned to swim to deal with the icy/watery environment and in winter they eat plants and lichens.
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Polar bears

  • Polar bears are well-camouflaged with their white fur.
  • Their fur is very thick allowing them to stay warm and they also store blubber like walruses and seals.
  • In the coldest winter months, polar bears hibernate to survive.
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Arctic hares

  • Arctic hares' white fur gives them extremely good camouflage in the polar and tundra environments which are often snow-covered.

Jump to other topics

1The Challenge of Natural Hazards

1.1Natural Hazards

1.2Tectonic Hazards

1.3Weather Hazards

1.4Climate Change

2The Living World

3Physical Landscapes in the UK

3.1The UK Physical Landscape

3.2Coastal Landscapes in the UK

3.3River Landscapes in the UK

3.4Glacial Landscapes in the UK

4Urban Issues & Challenges

5The Changing Economic World

6The Challenge of Resource Management

6.1Resource Management

6.2Food

6.3Water

6.4Energy

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