Tundra animals are species that live in one of the coldest and most demanding environments on Earth. The Arctic tundra is defined by freezing temperatures, strong winds, permafrost soil, and very limited vegetation.
In this section, you’ll learn the most common animals found in the Arctic tundra, along with clear vocabulary and simple descriptions that explain how each species adapts to life in extreme cold.
List of Tundra Animals
Here is the list of the common names of animals you will find in the tundra.
- Yak
- Weddell Seal
- Walrus
- Tundra Swan
- Stoat
- Snowy Owl
- Snow Petrel
- Snow Leopard
- Rock Ptarmigan
- Reindeer
- Red Fox
- Puffin
- Polar Bear
- Pika
- Orca
- Narwhal
- Musk Ox
- Mountain Goat
- Moose
- Marmot
- Lemming
- Kea
- Husky
- Himalayan Tahr
- Harbor Seal
- Elk
- Chinchilla
- Caribou
- Cape Petrel
- Beluga Whale
- Bald Eagle
- Arctic Wolf
- Arctic Tern
- Arctic Hare
- Arctic Fox
- Arctic Dog
- Antarctic Prion
Common Names of Tundra Animals
Arctic Fox
- Arctic foxes have thick fur and furry feet to stay warm.
- They change color—white in winter, brown in summer.
- Arctic foxes follow polar bears to scavenge leftovers.
Arctic Fox
/ˈɑrktɪk fɑks/
- The arctic fox has thick white fur that acts as camouflage in the snow.
Arctic Hare
- Arctic hares huddle together for warmth.
- They can run up to 40 mph to escape predators.
- Their short ears help conserve body heat.
Arctic Hare
/ˈɑrktɪk hɛr/
- An arctic hare can run fast across the snow to escape predators.
Caribou
- Caribou migrate over 3,000 miles yearly—one of the longest migrations.
- Their hooves act as snowshoes in winter.
- Both males and females grow antlers.
Caribou
/ˈkɛrəˌbu/
- In winter, caribou use their wide hooves like snowshoes on soft snow.
Musk Ox
- Musk oxen have two layers of fur to survive freezing temperatures.
- They form defensive circles against predators.
- Their hooves break ice to reach plants.
Musk Ox
/mʌsk ɑks/
- A musk ox stays warm thanks to its thick, layered fur.
Rock Ptarmigan
- Ptarmigans change plumage seasonally for camouflage.
- They burrow in snow to keep warm.
- Their feathered feet help walk on snow.
Rock Ptarmigan
/rɑk ˈtɑrmɪɡən/
- The rock ptarmigan turns white in winter to blend into the snowy tundra.
Snowy Owl
- Snowy owls hunt during the day, unlike most owls.
- They have excellent hearing to find prey under snow.
- Snowy owls migrate south if food is scarce.
Snowy Owl
/ˈsnoʊi aʊl/
- A snowy owl often watches the ground carefully before swooping down on prey.
Mountain Goat
- Mountain goats climb steep cliffs to avoid predators.
- They have special hooves with rough pads for grip.
- Their thick coats protect against freezing winds.
Mountain Goat
/ˈmaʊntən ɡoʊt/
- A mountain goat uses its strong hooves to grip rocky cliffs in cold weather.
Bald Eagle
- Bald eagles nest on cliffs or tall trees near tundra coasts.
- They can spot fish from over a mile away.
- Bald eagles reuse huge nests year after year.
Bald Eagle
/bɔld ˈiɡəl/
- A bald eagle can spot fish from far away before diving down to catch it.
Chinchilla
- Chinchillas live in burrows in rocky mountain areas.
- They have the densest fur of any land mammal.
- Chinchillas take dust baths to stay clean.
Chinchilla
/tʃɪnˈtʃɪlə/
- A chinchilla has very dense fur and often cleans itself by taking a dust bath.
Marmot
- Marmots hibernate for up to 8 months.
- They whistle to warn of danger.
- Marmots live in colonies with complex burrows.
Marmot
/ˈmɑrmət/
- A marmot may whistle loudly to warn other animals when danger is nearby.
Snow Leopard
- Snow leopards have long tails for balance and warmth.
- They can leap up to 50 feet across rocks.
- Snow leopards are solitary and elusive.
Snow Leopard
/snoʊ ˈlɛpɚd/
- A snow leopard uses its long tail to balance on steep, rocky slopes.
Reindeer
- Reindeer have noses that warm cold air before it reaches lungs.
- Their hooves adapt seasonally—hard in winter, soft in summer.
- Both sexes grow antlers.
Reindeer
/ˈreɪnˌdɪr/
- The reindeer walked silently across the snow in search of lichen.
Stoat
- Stoats turn white in winter (called ermine).
- They store food in underground caches.
- Stoats hunt prey much larger than themselves.
Stoat
/stoʊt/
- A stoat can change to a white coat in winter to blend into snowy landscapes.
Elk
- Elk migrate between forests and tundra.
- Males grow huge antlers for mating displays.
- Elk form large herds in winter for safety.
Elk
/ɛlk/
- An elk can gather with other elk in winter to stay safer from predators.
Harbor Seal
- Harbor seals rest on ice or rocky beaches.
- They dive up to 1,500 feet to hunt fish.
- Harbor seals have thick blubber to stay warm.
Harbor Seal
/ˈhɑrbɚ sil/
- A harbor seal may rest on rocks between dives to hunt fish in cold water.
Polar Bear
- Polar bears have black skin under white fur to absorb heat.
- They can swim for days between ice floes.
- Polar bears hunt seals on sea ice.
Polar Bear
/ˈpoʊlɚ bɛr/
- The polar bear waited patiently by the ice hole for a seal to surface.
Puffin
- Puffins nest in burrows on tundra cliffs.
- They can carry several fish in their beaks at once.
- Puffins spend most of their lives at sea.
Puffin
/ˈpʌfɪn/
- A puffin can carry several fish in its beak when feeding its chick.
Moose
- Moose wade into cold water to feed on aquatic plants.
- They have long legs to move through deep snow.
- Moose shed and regrow their antlers each year.
Moose
/mus/
- A moose can use its long legs to walk through deep snow more easily.
Orca
- Orcas hunt seals, whales, and fish in icy waters.
- They use teamwork to break ice and catch prey.
- Orcas communicate with clicks and whistles.
Orca
/ˈɔrkə/
- An orca may work with its pod to surround fish in icy water.
Narwhal
- Narwhals have a long tusk (an extended tooth).
- They migrate under Arctic ice following fish.
- Narwhals can dive over 5,000 feet deep.
Narwhal
/ˈnɑrˌwɑl/
- The narwhal uses its tusk to sense changes in the cold Arctic water.
Last Updated on January 30, 2026
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