H

Husky

Inuit hunters depend entirely on huskies to pull their sleds. Huskies are strong because they are part wolf. When a rider's life is at risk they might kill one of their dogs to keep from starving. Huskies can pull sledges farther and faster than any other dogs. Huskies only eat meat scraps and fish, but if their team is going to starve they can go without food for a few days. Huskies have lots of fur and can stand the bitter cold. A team of Huskies usually cost about as much as a snowmobile.

Henson, Matthew

Matthew Henson was born in 1866. When he was young, his mother and father died. So he lived with his uncle but his uncle was mean and grumpy so Matthew ran away from the only home he had. Matthew worked at a small restaurant where he mopped the floors, cleaned the kitchen and washed the dishes. Beginning at his teenage years he sailed around the world. While he was sailing, Matthew learned mathematics, navigation, the operations of a ship and how to read books and maps. By the time he was 21, Matthew was a very good sailor. When the ship was docked he would work to earn money. One job he had was one in a fur and supplies shop in Washington D.C. where Matthew worked as a clerk. Then one day while Matthew was working, an explorer named Robert Perry came. Robert needed a servant and supplies. The store owner told Robert that Matthew was "Bright and Strong" and was an experienced sailor. So Robert took Matthew with him. Robert later made Matthew a fellow explorer. Robert wanted to be the first to reach the Arctic and he wanted Matthew to be with him. So they set out. Matthew actually got there first but when he got back they ignored him and gave Robert Perry all the credit.

Harp Seal

Harp seals are easy to identify. The pups have silky fur and the adults have outstanding marks. The adults are silvery gray but have black marks and are silky. Adult harp seals are very good swimmers and can swim at a speed of 15 miles per hour. When in good condition, an adult harp seal weighs about 300 pounds and is about 6 feet long. Harp seals sleep underwater. While they're sleeping, they come up to breathe every five minutes and don't even wake up! Usually when harp seals go on dives they come up to breathe every 5 minutes. But since they can go 600 ft. down, harp seals can and do stay down for 30 minutes.