This wolverine looks like a cute little bear. But don't be fooled! They can be dangerous!
Click on image for full size
Courtesy of Corel Photography

Arctic Tundra Carnivores

The tundra is full of carnivores, animals that eat meat. Bears, wolves and even bats fill the tundra with life. Let's explore these creatures further!

There are several species of bear in the tundra. Polar bears usually live farther north, but are also found in the tundra searching for food. The Kodiak is the largest bear in the tundra. It is usually a brown color. Brown bears aren't as fierce as their reputation makes them out to be. Actually, brown bears seldomly eat meat.

Wolves are the better predators of the tundra. They travel in small families and attack caribou and other large herbivores that are too slow to stay with the pack. Some wolves change to a bright white color in the winter.

Wolverines have a reputation of being ferocious and strong. They look like small bears, but they pack a mean punch. Wolverines feed on dead carcasses, but sometimes kill their own prey. Otters and minks are in the same family as wolverines. Otters live near rivers and lakes so they can feed on fish.

Even bats are found in the tundra during the summer! They feed on the swarms of insects that fill the air.

Last modified February 6, 2007 by Lisa Gardiner.

You might also be interested in:

Traveling Nitrogen Classroom Activity Kit

Check out our online store - minerals, fossils, books, activities, jewelry, and household items!...more

Tundra Herbivores

There are so many interesting mammals in the tundra, they had to be divided into two groups! You can read about carnivores here. Musk-ox and caribou are the largest herbivores in the tundra region. Both...more

Albedo

This picture shows a part of the Earth surface as seen from the International Space Station high above the Earth. A perspective like this reminds us that there are lots of different things that cover the...more

Desert Birds

Like the other inhabitants of the desert, birds come up with interesting ways to survive in the harsh climate. The sandgrouse has special feathers that soak up water. It can then carry the water to its...more

The Desert Biome

Deserts are full of interesting questions. How can anything survive in a place with hardly any water? Why is it so dry to begin with? You can find at least one desert on every continent except Europe....more

Desert Insects and Arachnids

You can find insects almost anywhere in the world. So it should be of no surprise that there are plenty of insects in the desert. One of the most common and destructive pests is the locust. A locust is...more

Desert Mammals

There are several species of mammals in the desert. They range in size from a few inches to several feet in length. Like other desert wildlife, mammals have to find ways to stay cool and drink plenty...more

Biomes and Ecosystems

Biomes are large regions of the world with similar plants, animals, and other living things that are adapted to the climate and other conditions. Explore the links below to learn more about some of the...more

Windows to the Universe, a project of the National Earth Science Teachers Association, is sponsored in part is sponsored in part through grants from federal agencies (NASA and NOAA), and partnerships with affiliated organizations, including the American Geophysical Union, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Earth System Information Partnership, the American Meteorological Society, the National Center for Science Education, and TERC. The American Geophysical Union and the American Geosciences Institute are Windows to the Universe Founding Partners. NESTA welcomes new Institutional Affiliates in support of our ongoing programs, as well as collaborations on new projects. Contact NESTA for more information. NASA ESIP NCSE HHMI AGU AGI AMS NOAA