|
 Taiga:
Animals
The cold climate
of the taiga prevents many animals from living there year-round.
Some of the large animals found in the taiga include moose, deer,
and bears. Examples of smaller animals that live in the taiga are
bobcats, squirrels, chipmunks, ermine, and moles. Photo
© 2000-www.arttoday.com
The taiga is home to
many insects and birds such as the bald eagle, chickadee, woodpeckers,
and warblers. The bogs and ponds, found throughout the taiga during
the summer, provide a wonderful breeding place for a wide variety
of insects. Many migratory birds come to the taiga to nest and feed
on the huge insect population.
Animal
adaptations
Most animals migrate to warmer climates once the cold weather begins.
Some animals have adapted to life in the taiga by hibernating when
temperatures drop. Other animals have adapted to the extreme cold
temperatures by producing a layer of insulating feathers or fur
to protect them from the cold.
In some instances, the
adaptation of a seasonal change in color of feathers or fur protects
the animal from its predators. The ermine, a small mammal, is a
good example of this adaptation. Its dark brown summer coat changes
to white in the winter. This adaptation helps the ermine blend into
its surroundings and makes it more difficult for the ermine's predators
to spot them.
Back
| Next
|
