How a hare prepares for winter: what changes in appearance

How does a hare prepare for winter? – this question is certainly of interest to many. After all, winter is a really difficult period, especially for forest animals. How are things with the eared jumper, how does he ensure his comfortable existence in the cold?

How does a hare prepare for winter? what changes in appearance

For first, we offer to find out how it changes the eared beast itself:

• dot countdown of the winter transformation is fall. Namely, September. It was at this time the bunny throws off his summer coat. That is, it sheds, changing the gray coat to white. It’s easy to guess why it is being done. snow white in winter, the gray animal will become easy prey for predators. White coat, coupled with caution hare and his ability to hide help excellent to avoid danger.
• Also the paws of the animal change somewhat. BUT Namely, peculiar “brushes” grow, which help the hare to move better over the snow. Probably seeing the footage a hare galloping through the forest, or even seeing him live, the reader was amazed more than once how easily the animal overcomes snow drifts. It just helps woolen brushes. Incidentally, they also help dig holes, but let’s talk about that a little bit later.
• Of bunny paw pads are active in winter sweat is released. Many probably think it’s a matter of thermoregulation as is the case with, for example, dogs. However, in reality it is that sweat is a kind of lubricant. It allows the owner of the paws to be easier slide on the snowy surface.

Arrangement of winter shelter: what is the rabbit

А now let’s talk in more detail about the winter shelter, which we mentioned a little previously. Hares pull it out with the help of those the most “brushes” of wool on the paws. They are thick enough to snow was thrown away without much effort.

What are the burrow depth? Как Turns out it depends a lot on the breed. bunny, according to experts. So, whites are considered unimportant “builders”. They most often dig burrows to a maximum of 1,5 meters. And here are the Russians able to dig a hole even deep 2 meters!

But whites have developed a different way disguise. They pack the snow really well serves as additional protection. When hare throw away excess snow, rather large snowdrifts are formed, which predators immediately recognize.

IMPORTANT: But, of course, the animal creates holes only if the snow really turned out to be deep.

Insulate Do hares somehow have their burrows? Actually case no. They have a fairly thick and warm wool in order to feel feel comfortable even without additional insulation. Plus it’s not cold under the snow. – the burrow warms well on its own.

А what can be said about the wind? Don’t they blow the animals into the hole icy gusts of air? On the actually no. The point is that rabbits try to dig holes in lowlands Exactly there is a possibility that there will be impulses, minimal.

Hare nutrition in winter: what it

А what can be said about the nutrition of a bunny during winter time?

• Speaking about how the rabbit getting ready for winter you need to immediately clarify that the stocks he does not. Unlike, for example, squirrels bunnies get their own food in any weather. And they do it all the time consumed during the cold season more energy and you need it constantly replenish. Thus, if you happen to be lucky enough to see winter hare, you can be sure of that he either eats or is in looking for food.
• Everything, what can be found in the forest from vegetation suitable for food. it may be tree bark, twigs, remnants of berries, young shoots. Even dried grass will do. In search such food will come in handy again already the mentioned “brushes” on the paws – they so convenient to dig up food! And sharp it is convenient to get the bark with teeth.
• Hares in winter they try to stay close to human habitation, despite all his timidity. There they can profit from the bark of fruit trees, for example. And if it appears the opportunity to dig into haystacks – and absolutely wonderful! eared inhabitants forests will try to settle in of them.

All we know the song about the Christmas tree that grows winter in the forest. And if you remember well words, you can find there lines and about a bunny jumping around a Christmas tree. Of course, real hares in winter are completely not up to such idleness – they are completely busy spending the winter with comfort.