Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 04/26/2011 - 16:07
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Carbon Balance in Warming and Drying Tundra

Hi Mr. Wood,

This is Rebecca Hogan, Period 6. How have you been? Are you all settled and ready to do some research? I was reading all of your journals and came across the Spunky one, and in some pictures, it showed barely any snow. So why would you need the sled dogs if there is no snow? Isn't the dogs job to pull the sled on snow? Also, I have always wondered about how the dogs pull the sled for so long on the snow and be able to still have pads on their feet?? Do they have very thick pads? I would be very happy if you responded to my questions. And hope that you have a good time.

-Rebecca

Tue, 04/26/2011 - 18:15

John Wood

Thanks for writing. Good observation on the snow. It is melting fast around here, but some places are melting faster than others. Up until this week there was enough snow to take the dogs out. It is the end of their season now so they won't be out for a while. The pads on their feet are pretty much like other dogs. The snow is soft compared to the ground so their feet don't get torn up. Some days they will pull the sled for 40 miles or more!Cheers,
Mr. Wood

Thu, 04/28/2011 - 13:04

Anonymous

Hi, Thank you Mr. Wood, for writing back to me so quickly. I never knew that a dog could pull a sled 40 miles! I was wondering, do the dogs have black skin like the polar bears do?? Because they are in the snow and cold weather so much. Or were they born with the regular skin color and adapted to the cold weather and changed their skin. Or is that impossible? I hope that you are having an amazing time and getting some research done. I would like to know if you find something very interesting or just regular things. I haven't read all of your journals yet, but I am almost done. I am on PolarTrec almost every day. (also to check if you replied)
-Rebecca

Fri, 04/29/2011 - 08:39

John Wood

Good to hear from you, and good question. The dogs are pretty normal with their skin color. They do have their thick fur to protect them. I will keep you posted about everything I can think of!Cheers,
Mr. Wood

Thu, 05/05/2011 - 05:47

Anonymous

Thank you, and I hope you have a great time. We are having a fun time in science with Mr. P. everybody likes him. Talk to you later, I have to go and read some more of your journals!See you later,
Rebecca Hogan