BIOL 1902 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Green Darner, Snowshoe Hare, Ruffed Grouse
Document Summary
Subzero temperatures = 2nd problem for winter-active animals: Moose have very long legs (2m high at shoulder) which help track through deep snow (lifts leg up, puts forward) Snowshoes hares large surface area of feet; huge hind feet = biggest. Not extremely, but still large: hooves. Caribous shorter legs than moose, snowshoe hooves. Many northern animals, such as fisher, also have large hind feet. Ruffed grouse have ability to add on snowshoes every fall: mammals, such as snowshoe hare, grow little scales on the sides of each toe. White-tailed deer move to yard (sheltered area w/ less snow & more food: deer yard tend to be in heavy coniferous cover (less snow under tree) Browse line identifies where white-tailed deer feed in winter. Wolves have fairly large feet: walk in single file, put feet exactly where another put their feet (trail breaking) Otters have short legs slide on belly. Mink can also use their bodies as toboggans.