Nearly dragging the ground, the guard hairs form an excellent barrier against blowing snow and strong arctic winds sweeping across the Coastal Plain. Qiviut, the fine, fluffy wool of the undercoat, is softer than cashmere yet warmer and more durable than sheep's wool. Selective Survival Burrowing into the previous year's leaf litter, queen bumble bees are the only members of their colonies to survive winter. In spring, they start new colonies with eggs fertilized the previous fall. Slow Growing During summer, brightly colored butterflies and moths may be seen fluttering among the low-growing flowers of the Arctic.
Growth is slow since the caterpillars thaw out and eat only one month a year.
They are usually 14 years old before they are large enough to metamorphose into an adult moth, which reproduces and dies a few weeks later. Sheltered in underground burrows from October to April, hibernation is interrupted only by short periods of sleep. Take a Long Vacation Over 200 species of birds raise their young in the insect-rich environment and endless days of the arctic summer. As winter approaches, cold temperatures, limited food and long nights drive most birds south. Red-throated Loons winter along the coasts of North America, Arctic Terns in South America and Antarctica, and Wheatears in Africa and Asia.