Desperate Survival During Desolate Cold | nftshowroom X alienarthive challenge for APRIL: Theme: "Flora and Fauna" - No. 4

I admire flora and fauna that can not only survive, but thrive in the cold. In the harshest conditions on Earth, animals and ecosystems have adapted to extreme temperatures.

I'm truly amazed at these animals. I see them and wonder whether their noses are cold. In temperatures that can fall as low as -328 deg. Fahrenheit, I've not noticed any sniffles. My nose runs cold as soon as the temperature falls below 80 deg.

However, these animals have evolved and adapted to withstand these extreme temperatures and conditions. Here are a few of these amazing creatures and how they survive.

Of course, we all know the Polar Bear, Caribou, and Penguin. But I didn't know about the numerous other animals who embrace these extreme conditions. The Musk Ox, Iceworms, Artic Ground Squirrel, Water Bear, Snow Leopard, Wolverine, Artic Fox, and Wood Frog¹

While I bundle up in the mild winter to venture outdoors, I always wonder how do those animals in the cold protect themselves. I discovered that they are referred to as "winter warriors" of the animal kingdom. I can see how appropriate the title fits as these animals battle frigid temperatures, harsh environments, and often limited supply of food sources.

Survival is key.

These animals are capable of surviving in extreme cold conditions have evolved specialized adaptations, such as dense fur, thick blubber, specialized blood circulation, or the ability to enter dormant states. These creatures thrive in temperatures that would be fatal to most life forms.

What's equally amazing is how the Wood Frog survives by its body entering a completing frozen state in winter, then thawing afterward. They don't die because of the fluid that runs through their veins that acts like anti-freeze. ²

Other animals slow their metabolism to preserve energy and not eat. Still other huddle together to share body heat.¹

When it comes to flora, our planet has an array of diverse environments. Surviving and thriving in some of the harshest tundra biome has come about due to evolution and adaptation.

During my research, I discovered that all trees have bark, which I was under the impression that some didn't. This protective covering serves as an insulator, protecting the vulnerable, living tissue just beneath the bark from cold and freezing.

Bark also protects the tree from damage such as antler-rubbing, insects, or other physical and biological damage. However, bark can be vulnerable, too. Water (sap) inside the tree may freeze just beneath the bark, then rapidly thaw in bright winter sunshine.

When repeated freezing, thawing, and re-freezing occurs, tissues beneath the bark will be damaged, dry out and crack. This process results in a very common looking tree damage known as frost cracking.³

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In the post, [nftshowroom X alienarthive challenge for April: nftshowroom X alienarthive challenge for April: Flora & Fauna, NFTShowroom has featured all the month's flora and fauna themed Art minted so far on the NFT Showroom's home page / twitter. Also, Alien Art Hive will be curating participants' blog posts. This challenge was intended for the full month of April. Participants are required to:

• make art incorporating any flora and fauna theme;
• mint it on https://nftshowroom.com/;
• make a blog post about it in Alien Art Hive; and
• use #nftshowroom in your tags

Below are my steps taken to create my third design for this theme.

While I didn't tokenize this project, I hope you enjoy the animation I added.

My Creation Process:

My inspiration in creating this "flora and fauna" scene was a series I viewed on how animals survive in difficult environments.

All images included are listed below. I especially like the frosted trees.

^{Large Polar Bear with Cubs - StarryAI ~ LMAC-Round221-Original Contest Image - snowy landscape ~ Female face in dark clouds ~ Round tree leaves ~ Bison ~ Fantasy snow landscape ~ Seagull in Flight - Contributed to the #LIL by @readheadpei}

Thanks for taking the time to view my post. I hope you like my fourth mixed media project for the April Flora and Fauna challenge.