Threat to animals

Critically endangered in Finland. The wolverine is a scavenger, but it can also prey on reindeer and small animals. The female wolverine requires persistent snow patches during spring to create a den where it gives birth to 2-3 kits. The decline in snow cover during spring will result in snow patches being more fragmented and isolated, thus reducing the extent of the habitat of the wolverine. Wolverines might become extinct in the future.

Wolverine - Gulo gulo

Critically endangered in Finland. The wolverine is a scavenger, but it can also prey on reindeer and small animals. The female wolverine requires persistent snow patches during spring to create a den where it gives birth to 2-3 kits. The decline in snow cover during spring will result in snow patches being more fragmented and isolated, thus reducing the extent of the habitat of the wolverine. Wolverines might become extinct in the future.

Loss of habitats due to the expansion of the boreal forest will threaten the survival of species such as the Arctic fox and the Snowy owl, which feed mainly on lemmings on the open tundra.

Snowy Owl - Bubo scandiacus

Loss of habitats due to the expansion of the boreal forest will threaten the survival of species such as the Arctic fox and the Snowy owl, which feed mainly on lemmings on the open tundra.

The Mountain hare, or Snow hare, is adapted to Arctic conditions. It competes with the European hare for the same habitats. Hare fur turns from brown to white as days get shorter during autumn. With warming temperatures, snow will melt earlier in spring, while the Snow hare still has white fur. Losing its camouflage, it might become easier prey for predators.

Mountain hare - Lepus timidus

The Mountain hare, or Snow hare, is adapted to Arctic conditions. It competes with the European hare for the same habitats. Hare fur turns from brown to white as days get shorter during autumn. With warming temperatures, snow will melt earlier in spring, while the Snow hare still has white fur. Losing its camouflage, it might become easier prey for predators.

Near threatened – Quasi menacé. The Willow ptarmigan is a bird from the grouse family. Its colour changes according to the seasons. In winter it has white plumage. In spring, it might become easier prey if it does not change out of its winter plumage before snow melts from the ground.

Willlow ptarmigan - Lagopus lagopus

Near threatened – Quasi menacé. The Willow ptarmigan is a bird from the grouse family. Its colour changes according to the seasons. In winter it has white plumage. In spring, it might become easier prey if it does not change out of its winter plumage before snow melts from the ground.

Critically endangered – En danger critique d´extinction. The Arctic fox, or Polar fox, lives in the Arctic tundra. The colour of its fur changes with the season. It is brown in summer and white in winter. It is dependent on the abundance of its prey, lemming and voles. With climate change, it is expected that the Red fox will spread northwards and compete with the Arctic fox for den sites and the same prey.

Arctic for - Vulpes vulpes

Critically endangered – En danger critique d´extinction. The Arctic fox, or Polar fox, lives in the Arctic tundra. The colour of its fur changes with the season. It is brown in summer and white in winter. It is dependent on the abundance of its prey, lemming and voles. With climate change, it is expected that the Red fox will spread northwards and compete with the Arctic fox for den sites and the same prey.

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