What Omnivores Are in the Arctic Tundra?
The arctic tundra encompasses northern portions of Alaska and Canada and is home to a few omnivores including polar bears, arctic wolves and arctic foxes. Omnivores are animals that eat both plant and animal materials.
Weighing up to 1,400 pounds and standing 10 feet tall, polar bears are the largest omnivores living in the arctic tundra. Although their diet mainly consists of meats such as seal, walrus and whale, in the summertime they often eat plants and berries. Any food that remains after polar bears finish their meal is often scavenged by arctic foxes. Arctic foxes have a more difficult time catching their prey due to their small size of only 12 pounds, and therefore they often take advantage of these easy meals. In addition to eating meat, arctic foxes often eat berries and seaweed at times when meat is harder to find. Another omnivore found in the arctic tundra is the arctic wolf. These wolves are an impressive 6 feet long and weigh around 175 pounds when fully grown. Arctic wolves have thick gray, black or white coats and often prey upon caribou, musk oxen, seals and hares. At times when the deep arctic snow reduces the hunting speeds of the arctic wolves, they often graze upon plants for nourishment.
