Fuzzy on the outside cold in the middle......
What is cute furry curled up and can fit into two hands? A hibernating Arctic ground squirrel is the answer! At the University of Alaska Museum of the North they have a hibernation chamber where you can learn about bears to wood frogs hibernating. Today we had the opportunity to hold an Arctic ground squirrel and listen to Dr. Cory Williams speak about his research on these animals at the Toolik Field Station. Humans have white fat as do other animals. These squirrels have brown fat full of mitochondria that generate heat to help them survive during hibernation. (The process is much more complicated then that is has to due with special protein, ATP, and more. To learn more about the Arctic ground squirrel follow Alicia Gillean's journal.)
The Arctic is curled up into a ball. His belly is very cold to the touch.
I am holding the Arctic ground squirrel.
Alaskan Art
Polar Bear Sculpture in the Museum of the North
Alaskan Mammals
The Grizzly bear is huge! Look how he towers over me.
Caribou in a pen located on the University of Alaska at Fairbanks campus.