Which biome is extremely cold and dry, characterized by permafrost and species such as caribou and snowy owl?

• A. Desert
• B. Forest
• C. Tundra biome
• D. Savanna

Answer: (C)

Extremely cold and dry conditions with permafrost point to a tundra biome. Permafrost means the ground remains frozen most of the year, which limits water drainage and keeps the soil thin and nutrient-poor. Short, cool summers support only hardy, shallow-rooted plants like lichens, mosses, grasses, and dwarf shrubs, creating a low, windswept landscape. Animals such as caribou and snowy owls are well adapted to these conditions, migrating or hunting across the vast, open terrain. The other options don’t match this combination of persistent cold, low moisture, and permafrost features, so the tundra is the best fit.