Journal

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.)

Arctic squirrel
The Arctic is curled up into a ball. His belly is very cold to the touch.

Me and the squirrel
I am holding the Arctic ground squirrel.

Alaskan Art

Polar Bear Sculpture
Polar Bear Sculpture in the Museum of the North

Alaskan Mammals

Grizzly bear and me
The Grizzly bear is huge! Look how he towers over me.

Caribou
Caribou in a pen located on the University of Alaska at Fairbanks campus.

Details
Author
Andrea Skloss
Date
Location
Fairbanks, Alaska
Expedition
Chukchi Sea Ecosystem Study

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