Stair-step Moss – Hylocomium Splendens

General – olive green, yellowish or reddish green; stems creeping, 2 – 20 cm long, stems and branches reddish, often with branches on branches; current year’s growth arises from near middle of previous year’s branch, producing feathery ‘fronds’ in step form; forms springy mats. Stair-step MossLeaves – 2 – 3 mm long, oval, smooth-edged, wide … Read more

Arctic Lemming – Dicrostonyx Torquatus

Distinguishing Features – Length: 110 – 177 mm; Tail: 10 – 20 mm; Weight: 30 – 112 g. Soles of feet densely furred, ears entirely concealed in fur. In summer, upper body grayish- buff to dark-gray with buffy and reddish-brown aspects. In winter, white pelage and enlarged bifid claw on digit three and four of … Read more

Reindeer Lichens – Cladina

Cladina mitis Green Reindeer Lichen or Yellow Reindeer Lichen General – shrub lichen, upright, 4 – 7 cm (sometimes to 10 cm) tall, pale yellowish green, intricately branching from a main stem, not copiously fork-branching from the base; branches hollow, with dull, appressed-cottony surface; end branchlets tending to point in one direction. Habitat Forms mats … Read more