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Show Animal Relationship Vital An article in the December January tMUC of "National Wildlife" magazine has emphasized the ciritcal relationship between snow and many species of wildlife. Although mortality is high among wildlife Implanons during winter, it is ironic that a blanket of snow is necessary for the survival of many species In "There's Nothing ordinary About Snow" by freelance writer Ruth Kirk, snow is discussed from its formation to avalanches to its effects on wildlife. The insulation which snow provides is essential to mice, moles, shrews and other small rodents Without the insulating capacity 0( snow, reports the article, more body heat would be lost than gained. When snow reaches a depth of six inches, rodents begin tunneling near the ground when temperatures do not reach the extremes of the air above In fact, when snow depths reach two feet, tunnel temperatures may be 70 degrees higher than air temperature. Snow poses problems, however, for animals like foxes and coyotes which prey upon these rodents. They must zigzag over the snow surface, listening for signs of life in the tunnels. "When a signal is picked up." reports the article, "the fox leaps high into the air to land stiff legged with nose and forepaws held together The sudden pressure breaks the snow crust, and the fox's jaws quickly close on its prey " other animals, lynx and ptarmigan among them, have densely furred or feathered feet which function much like snowshoes. and the long legs of moose and elk help them move about at least until snow becomes too deep. |
