ANIMALS OF CANADA

   ANIMALS  OF

       CANADA

                       

                          Artic Fox

                

WHERE THE ARCTIC FOX LIVES

This fox is found in the far north, mainly in the Arctic Circle. (northern parts of Alaska and the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, on Iceland , northern Russia and on the coast of Greenland).

The Arctic fox lives in a den or burrow dug into the side of a hill, cliff or riverbank.

The Arctic fox is well adapted to live in the cold Arctic. In winter its thick, bushy coat turns white. This makes it very hard to see the fox. The prey is not able to spot the Arctic fox until it is too late.

APPEARANCE

The Arctic fox is small with short legs and short rounded furry ears. The bushy tail is about 30 cm. long

FOOD

Arctic Fox, still mostly in winter coat, carrying a goose egg

They prey on voles, lemmings, hares, ground squirrels, birds and birds' eggs. Foxes living near the coast feed on shellfish, sea urchins and other shore animals.

ENEMIES

Polar bears kill Arctic foxes. Trappers want them for their beautiful fur coats.

                     

                         Polar Bear

                           

  

                                 WHERE POLAR BEARS LIVE

Polar bears live in the Arctic. They do not stay in one place. They travel across the snow and pack ice looking for food. Sometimes they swim far out to sea.

                                          APPEARANCE

Polar bears are the largest bears in the world. 
Adults weigh 295 kg to 600 kg (650 to 1300 pounds). 
Males are larger than females. 
A polar bear's coat can be from white to yellowish in color. 

                                                FOOD

Seals are their favorite food, especially the ringed seal. Polar bears spend most of their time on the pack ice or in the water, where they can hunt for the seal. The polar bear tries to fatten up before the sea ice melts.

                                           PROTECTION

The polar bear is so strong it can kill an animal with one blow to the head.

 

                                SEAL

                         

                                             INTRODUCTION

Seals are mammals that live in the sea. The harp seal, hooded seal and ringed seal live in the Arctic Oceam. 
The ringed seal got its name from the marks ( that look like rings ) on its body. It is the smallest seal - about a meter and a half long (five feet)

                                                FOOD

They eat fish, squid and krill ( shrimp-like animals).

                                               ENEMIES

Arctic foxes and polar bears hunt the seal.