What animals inhabit the coniferous forest. Animal world of forests. Japanese green dove

The forests of northern Europe, Russia, Canada, and the northern United States are often referred to as the coniferous forest biome. Biomes are specific geographic regions with specific climates, flora and fauna. coniferous forests these regions are different continental climate hot summer and cold winter. This is a very dry climate. In winter, the cold leads to a shortage of liquid water. In these areas, winter days are very short and summer days are very long. To survive, coniferous forest dwellers should make the most of every summer day, and for the winter either hibernate or be at rest.

The coniferous forest is a habitat for many species of deer. Maral is largest species deer. His big size allows him to survive cold winter. In relation to the body mass index, it has a small surface area, which reduces heat loss, and the main organs are located deep inside the body. Roe deer live together with deer in the forest. AT different times year they move north and south to escape the extremely cold weather and have time to graze on the most fertile pastures. Although the forest caribou is subject to extirpation, it is found throughout Canada.

Baribal, grizzly bear and wolverine are also associated with coniferous forests. Although it is commonly said that bears hibernate for the winter, a more accurate description given state lies in the fact that they fall into a state of false sleep, characterized by lethargy and a decrease in metabolic processes. The duration of false sleep depends on the breed. Baribal falls into a deeper hibernation than the grizzly or wolverine. Before hibernation, bears enter a state of increased activity and gain weight. The grizzly bear enters the den only after the first snow falls. This prevents predators from finding its lair. Bears have very thick fur that allows them to endure frost. Wolverine secretes a water-repellent oil that prevents heat loss through wet fur.

small mammals
Lives in coniferous forest a large number of small mammals from the category of rodents. Typical representatives include the beaver, the squirrel, the white hare and the vole. In relation to their mass, they have a large body surface, which is why they lose a lot of heat in winter. The best option for such animals is hibernation in deep burrows. Small mammals are much better at stopping body systems than bears, which is why zoologists have separated the state of hibernation from the state of false sleep.

Predators
In general, a small number of predators live in the coniferous forest, since the majority of mammals are herbivores. Predatory image life requires too much energy, so it is not suitable for climate with short period growth. Among the predators of the coniferous forest, one can meet foxes and ermines that feed on rodents, as well as lynxes and wolves that prey on large animals.

Animals living in mixed forests are generally characteristic of the entire forest zone of Russia. Hares, foxes, hedgehogs and even wild boars can also be found in well-developed forests. Squirrels already feel great not only in the wild, but also in an ordinary city park. On the rivers away from settlements and now you can see the huts of beavers. There are also such animals of mixed forests as bear, marten, wolf and badger. Moose are also quite common on the roads and outskirts of villages.

Inhabitants of mixed broad-leaved forests

Representatives of the fauna of the taiga forests also feel great in the mixed broad-leaved forest: white hare, squirrel. In parallel, the most typical animals of mixed forests live: elk, badger.

Elk

The European elk is called the forest giant for a reason. It is one of the largest animals living in the mixed zone. deciduous forests. Its average weight reaches three hundred kilograms. The head of the male is decorated with huge horns. The coat of this animal is usually gray or black-brown.

These inhabitants of mixed forests feed mainly on the shoots of young trees, preferring aspen, willow or mountain ash. In winter, moose choose needles, mosses and lichens as their main food. These animals are excellent swimmers. An adult can safely swim for a full two hours at a fairly good speed (up to 10 km / h). The end of spring and the very beginning of summer is the time when the moose cow gives birth. As a rule, these are one or two calves that live with their mother during the entire summer period.

Badger

The common badger is found throughout the territory of mixed forests. In size, this animal can be compared with a small dog. The body length reaches 90 cm, and the average weight of a badger is approximately 25 kg. He hunts exclusively at night for insects, digs up nutritious roots and various worms along the way. He loves frogs very much. The badger is a nocturnal animal, it spends daylight hours in its hole.

The badger hole is a very interesting structure. It usually has several floors and a huge number of entrances and exits. Sometimes their number reaches 50. The central hole can reach a length of up to 10 meters and is located at a depth of up to 5 meters. The badger is a very clean animal: he always buries all the sewage into the ground. They live in colonies. The badger spends the winter in hibernation.

hedgehog

Hedgehogs are animals living in mixed forests. This small animal has very poor eyesight, but hearing and smell are superbly developed. In case of danger, the hedgehog rolls up, taking the shape of a ball. And then none of the predators can cope with it (this animal has about 5000 needles, the length of which is 2 cm).

On the territory of mixed forests of Russia, hedgehogs are most often found, the needles of which have a gray tint and dark transverse stripes are clearly visible.

As food, the hedgehog prefers insects and invertebrates: earthworms, slugs and snails. It hunts frogs, snakes, destroys the nests of birds living on the ground. Sometimes eats wild berries.

The common hedgehog has two holes: summer and winter. The winter hole serves him for sleeping, which lasts from mid-autumn until April, and the summer version of the dwelling is used for the birth of offspring. Hedgehog cubs are born naked, a little later (within a few hours) soft white needles appear, which change their color to their usual color within 36 hours.

Mole

Quite a lot of moles in mixed forests. These completely blind animals spend most his life underground. They feed mainly on insects, larvae, earthworms. Moles do not fall into hibernation, since at this time of the year they do not experience problems with a lack of food.

Mixed Forest Animals

white hare

The habitat of this animal is not limited to the zone of mixed forests. It can be found both in the tundra and in the steppe bushes. AT winter time the color of his skin becomes completely White color. Only the tips of the ears are still black. The paws are overgrown with more fluffy fur. In summer, these animals of mixed forests have the usual gray color.

The white hare feeds on grass, shoots and bark of trees: willow, birch, aspen, maple, oak and hazel. A hare does not have a permanent hole as such. At the slightest danger, this animal prefers to flee.

A hare twice during the summer period brings up to 6 rabbits. The young growth becomes adult after the wintering spent together with mother.

bison

Animal world The mixed forests of Russia recently boasted such a magnificent animal as They were found everywhere in the northwestern regions of Russia. But, unfortunately, the bison population was almost completely exterminated. To date, a lot of work has been done in the country to restore the number of these animals.

river beavers

The fauna of mixed forests is such an interesting and unusual animal as the river beaver. Previously, they were found almost everywhere. But because of their very valuable fur, they were almost completely exterminated.

Beavers prefer to choose quiet forest rivers for their homes, the banks of which are covered with dense thickets. These animals feed on young shoots of trees and their bark.

It's called a hut. As building material beavers use tree branches. The size of the hut has no strict restrictions. Each beaver builds it in its own way, but it is in without fail renovated every year.

Of particular interest are the dams that these animals skillfully build. Beavers build dams in case the water level drops very sharply in the river. The finished dam can easily support the weight of an adult.

A wild boar

The wild boar is a very strong and fast animal. Despite some external clumsiness, he easily and quickly moves on his strong legs. Wild boars live in small herds, which consist of males and females with piglets. The eyes of the boar are small and besides, this animal is somewhat blind. Therefore, the main sense organs for the boar are hearing and smell. This fully explains the typical behavior of a wild boar in case of possible danger: it raises its nose to the top, sniffing and at the same time pricking up its ears.

Wild boars are forests, as they are active mainly at night. Wild boars spend daylight hours in hard-to-reach places. Boars are absolutely omnivores.

But mixed forests are inhabited not only by herbivores, but also by forest predators: bears, wolves, foxes and martens.

Wolves

The most dangerous animals of mixed forests are, of course, wolves. They have always caused a lot of trouble, but nevertheless, the call for the complete extermination of the population of this animal is completely unjustified. The wolf is a predatory animal, but it destroys mainly sick or severely weakened animals. In this way, he helps to improve the population of animals living in the area. In areas where the number of these predators is relatively small, there is practically no harm from this animal.

pine marten

Marten - another one bright representative predatory animals living in mixed forests. This animal arranges nests in hollows of trees, choosing rather high places for this. Leading night image life, the marten quite often destroys squirrel nests. The squirrel is active during daylight hours, and at night it sleeps soundly in the hollow, so it becomes a very easy prey for the marten. But the marten also eats food plant origin: fruits or berries. He loves to eat wild honey. Because of this weakness, it can live for quite a long time directly next to the bee nest. Sometimes several martens can gather in one place at the same time.

Fox

The fox is a very cautious predator. The body length of this animal reaches a meter and the famous fox tail is almost the same size. The fur of this animal most often has a red color, the breast and abdomen are light gray, but the tip of the tail is always white.

These animals prefer mixed forests, which alternate with clearings, ponds and meadows. The fox can be seen on the outskirts of the villages, and in the groves among the meadows.

The sight of the fox is rather poorly developed, so it navigates the terrain with the help of smell and excellent hearing. As a dwelling, the fox uses abandoned badger holes. Sometimes it digs a hole on its own, the depth of which reaches 4 meters. There must be several emergency exits.

Foxes prefer to lead. They are nocturnal predators. The fox feeds on rodents, hares or birds. In very rare cases, it attacks a baby roe deer. no more than 8 years.

Lynx

The lynx is another representative of the predators that live in mixed forests. The lynx hunts from ambush. She can track down prey for quite a long time, hiding among the branches of trees or dense shrubs. This predator has long powerful paws that help the lynx to jump over long enough distances.

The main prey of the lynx is roe deer or deer. But she does not disdain small mammals. With pleasure he will drive a hare or catch a bird. The lynx equips its hole in advance in order to calmly give birth to offspring. Usually the number of kittens in a litter ranges from 2 to 4 cubs. They live next to their mother for 9 months.

Animals of mixed forests of Russia

Thus, mixed forests have a fairly diverse wildlife. Among the inhabitants of this natural zone, there are both predators and herbivores, both inhabitants of the taiga forests, and the "indigenous" inhabitants of the forest-steppe zone. Many animals fall into deep hibernation, while others, on the contrary, lead an active lifestyle. all year round.

From September 15 to 17, Russia celebrates one of the largest ecological holidays- Russian days of the forest. As you know, forests are not only lungs of the planet and pantry of various berries, mushrooms and medicinal herbs, but also home to many amazing animals. In this regard, we are telling you about some of the rare animals that live in Russian forests.

1. Musk deer.

This small deer-like animal with fangs lives in the mountain coniferous forests of the Sayans, Altai, Transbaikalia and Primorye. Despite its intimidating appearance, the musk deer feeds exclusively on vegetation. However, the musk deer is remarkable not only for this, but also for its attractive smell, which lures females for mating. This smell appears due to the musk gland located in the belly of the male next to the urogenital canal.

As you know, musk is a valuable component of various medicines and perfumes. And it is precisely because of him that the musk deer often becomes the prey of hunters and poachers. Another reason why this unusual animal is classified as an endangered species is the reduction in the boundaries of its range, which is associated with increased economic activity human (mainly with deforestation).

One of the solutions to the problem of preserving the species in the wild is the farming of musk deer and the selection of musk from living males.

2. Japanese green dove.

This unusual bird about 33 cm long and weighing approximately 300 grams has a bright yellowish-green color. It is common in Southeast Asia, but is also found in the Sakhalin region (Krillon Peninsula, Moneron and South Islands). Kurile Islands). The bird inhabits broad-leaved and mixed forests with an abundance of cherry and bird cherry trees, elderberry bushes and other plants, the fruits of which it feeds on.

The Japanese green dove is a rare species, and therefore little is known about its life. Today, scientists know that green doves are monogamous birds. They weave their nests from thin twigs and place them in trees at a height of up to 20 meters. It is believed that partners incubate eggs in turn for 20 days. And after that, helpless, downy chicks are born, who will learn to fly only after five weeks. However, pairs or flocks of green doves are rare in Russia, most often they are noticed one by one.

3. Far Eastern, or Amur leopards.

As early as the beginning of the 20th century rare cats there were much more, and their range covered a considerable territory - the eastern and northeastern parts of China, the Korean Peninsula, the Amur, Primorsky and Ussuri Territories. However, in the period from 1970-1983, the Far Eastern leopard lost 80% of its territory! The main reasons then were Forest fires and transformation of forest plots for Agriculture.

Today, the Amur leopard continues to lose its territory and also suffer from food shortages. After all, roe deer, spotted deer and other ungulates that this leopard hunts are killed in huge numbers by poachers. And since the Far Eastern leopard has beautiful fur, he himself is a very desirable trophy for poachers.

Also, due to the lack of suitable food in the wild, Far Eastern leopards are forced to go in search of food in reindeer farms. There predators are often killed by the owners of these farms. And to everything else, due to the small size of the Amur leopard population, it will be very difficult for representatives of the subspecies to survive during various disasters like a fire.

However, all this does not mean that the subspecies will disappear soon. Today there are still large areas of forest that are suitable habitat for the Amur leopard. And if these areas can be preserved and protected from fires and poaching, then the population of these amazing animals in the wild will increase.

Interestingly, Far Eastern leopards are the only leopards that have been able to learn to live and hunt in conditions harsh winter. In this, by the way, they are helped by long hair, as well as strong and long legs, which allow you to catch up with prey, moving through the snow. However, Amur leopards not only good hunters, but also exemplary family men. After all, sometimes males stay with females after mating and even help them with raising kittens, which, in principle, is not typical of leopards.

4. Alkina.

These butterflies live in the southwest of Primorsky Krai and are found along streams and rivers in mountain forests, where the fodder plant of caterpillars of the species grows - the Manchurian kirkazon liana. Most often, male butterflies fly to the flowers of this plant, and females sit in the grass most of the time. Alcinoy females tend to linger on this plant to lay their eggs on its leaves.

Today, due to the disturbance of the habitat of the Kirkazon and the collection of it as medicinal plant its amount in nature decreases, which, of course, affects the abundance of alcinoid. In addition, butterflies suffer because of their collection by collectors.

5. Bison.

Previously, these animals were widely distributed in the territory former USSR, but by the beginning of the 20th century they were preserved only in Belovezhskaya Pushcha and the Caucasus. However, even there their numbers have been steadily declining. For example, by 1924 only 5-10 bison survived in the Caucasus. The main reasons for the reduction of bison were their extermination by hunters and poachers, as well as their destruction during hostilities.

The restoration of their numbers began in 1940 in the Caucasian Reserve, and now bison inhabit two regions in Russia - North Caucasus and the center of the European part. In the North Caucasus, bison live in Kabardino-Balkaria, North Ossetia, Chechnya, Ingushetia and Stavropol Territory. And in the European part there are isolated herds of bison in the Tver, Vladimir, Rostov and Vologda regions.

Bison have always been inhabitants of deciduous and mixed forests, but avoided extensive forest areas. In the Western Caucasus, these animals live mainly at an altitude of 0.9 - 2.1 thousand meters above sea level, often leaving the glades or treeless slopes, but never moving away from the forest edges.

By appearance the bison is very similar to its American relative - the bison. Nevertheless, it is still possible to distinguish them. First of all, the bison has a higher hump, longer horns and tail than the bison. And in the hot months, the back of the bison is covered with very short hair (it even seems that it is bald), while the bison has the same length of hair all over the body at any time of the year.

The bison is listed in the Red Book of Russia as an endangered species and today lives in many reserves and zoos.

6. Fish owl.

This species settles along the banks of rivers in the Far East from Magadan to the Amur region and Primorye, as well as on Sakhalin and the South Kuriles. The fish owl prefers to live in the hollows of old trees with an abundance of aquatic prey nearby, but old forests and hollow trees are often cut down, which inevitably forces these birds out of their habitats. In addition, fish owls are caught by poachers, and they often fall into traps during an attempt to pull the bait out of them. The development of water tourism on the Far Eastern rivers and, consequently, the increased disturbance of these birds gradually leads to a decrease in the number of eagle owls and prevents their reproduction. All this has led to the fact that today this species is under threat of extinction.

The fish owl is one of the largest owls in the world, as well as the largest representative of its kind. Interestingly, these birds can hunt with two different ways. Most often, a fish owl looks out for fish, sitting on a stone in the river, from the shore or from a tree hanging over the river. Noticing the prey, the eagle owl dives into the water and instantly grabs it with sharp claws. And in the case when this predator tries to catch sedentary fish, crayfish or frogs, it simply enters the water and probes the bottom with its paw in search of prey.

7. Giant evening party.

This bat, the largest in Russia and Europe, lives in widely deciduous forests on the territory from the western borders of our country to the Orenburg region, as well as from the northern borders to Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod regions. There they settle in hollows of trees by 1-3 individuals, in colonies of other bats(usually red and small evening).

The giant party is rare view, however, environmentalists do not know exactly what is the reason for their low numbers. According to the assumptions of scientists, the threat is the deforestation of broad-leaved forests. However, today there are no special measures for the protection of these animals, since it is not clear which measures will be effective.

Interestingly, these the bats prey on large beetles and moths, flying over forest edges and reservoirs. However, analysis of blood and droppings showed that these animals also feed on small birds during migrations, however, this has never been recorded.

8. Heavenly barbel.

In Russia, in the south of Primorsky Krai (in Terneisky, Ussuriysky, Shkotovsky, Partizansky and Khasansky regions), a beetle with a bright blue color lives. It lives in deciduous forests mainly in the wood of the greenskin maple. There, the female beetle lays eggs, and after about half a month, larvae appear. They develop in wood for about 4 years, and then, in June, the larva gnaws out the “cradle” and pupates. After about 20 days, the beetle emerges from the wood and immediately begins to reproduce. On this he will spend all his strength until the end of his life, which lasts only two weeks.

The celestial barbel is listed in the Red Book of Russia as a rare species, the number of which is declining. According to ecologists, the reason for this is deforestation and a sharp decrease in the number of green maple.

9. Himalayan, or white-breasted bear.

Ussuri white-breasted bear inhabits broadleaf forests Primorsky Krai, southern regions Khabarovsk Territory and southeastern part of the Amur region. Until 1998, it was listed in the Red Book of Russia as rare species, and today is a hunting species. However, if in the 90s its population was 4-7 thousand individuals, now this bear is on the verge of extinction (its population is up to 1 thousand individuals). The reason for this was, first of all, deforestation and mass hunting. The latter, by the way, was discussed during the international environmental forum "Nature without Borders" in Vladivostok, after which in 2006 it was decided in the Primorsky Territory to introduce restrictions on hunting the Himalayan bear during hibernation.

The white-breasted bear leads a semi-arboreal lifestyle: it gets food from trees and hides from enemies (these are mainly Amur tigers and brown bears). Almost the entire diet of this bear consists of plant foods, in particular nuts, fruits and berries, as well as shoots, bulbs and rhizomes. It also does not refuse to eat ants, insects, mollusks and frogs.

10. Black stork

A widespread, but rare species, the number of which is declining due to human economic activity, which manifests itself in the reduction of forests and the drainage of swamps. Today the bird is found in the forests from Kaliningrad and Leningrad regions to South Primorye. The black stork prefers to settle near water bodies in dense, old forests.

Right there, on the old tall trees(and sometimes on rock ledges) black storks build nests that will then be used for several years. When the time comes to invite the female to the nest (around the end of March), the male fluffs up his white undertail and begins to emit a hoarse whistle. The eggs laid by the female (from 4 to 7 pieces) will be incubated by the partners in turn until after 30 days the chicks hatch from them.

The coniferous forests of the Northern Continent represent the longest areas of continuous forest cover on Earth. Conifers do well in high latitudes because they are evergreen, and photosynthesis can begin immediately as conditions become favorable for growth, without the need for leaves to regrow first, as is the case with deciduous forests. In this way, conifers compensate for the short growing season, which lasts from 50 to 80 days, depending on latitude. Seed maturation and reproduction are also related to climate. Coniferous trees, unlike deciduous ones, do not form fruit-bearing organs that are pollinated and ripen within one year. Fertilization in the female cone may take a year or more to complete, and may take up to three years until the bud develops and the seeds are ripe for distribution.
The absence of leaf litter and the prevailing cold climatic conditions that slow down the natural decomposition of the deadwood carpet, a material that is difficult to decompose anyway, result in only a very thin layer of soil and little or no undergrowth. The mammals that inhabit these places are mostly herbivorous and live on a diet of moss, pine needles, bark and cones. Insectivorous birds are rare compared to those that feed on the seeds and buds of conifers. Forest fires are infrequent in these places, and usually occur in the spring, when there is little sap in the trees. At this time, vast areas can be devastated.
Resettlement begins deciduous trees- birch, alder and mountain ash, which only after some time are replaced by climax vegetation - spruce, larch, cedar * or pine.
Characteristic for coniferous trees the tall and pointed shape is ideal for bearing the weight of winter snow and allowing the snow to slide off quickly when it begins to melt in the spring. The shallow root system is perfectly adapted to the thin layer of soil that is characteristic of this habitat.
In the northern regions, where the underlying soil layers remain frozen all year round and are therefore impervious to water, many rivers, streams and swamps spring up with their own native flora of mosses and sedges. The forest becomes more and more sparse and blends with the nearby tundra. Large patches of tundra mosses and lichens grow on the uplands. Near the rivers in the transitional region, the forest remains dense and invades far to the north, into the tundra, along the river valleys. On the southern edge of the taiga belt, coniferous forests are gradually replaced by deciduous forests.
Throughout the world, small areas of coniferous forests occur outside their main latitudinal distribution, especially on mountain slopes where altitudinal zonality creates climatic conditions similar to the conditions formed near the poles.
During the Age of Man, coniferous forests suffered significant damage due to clearing for agriculture and industrial forestry. As a result, large areas of land were subjected to wind and rain erosion, which destroyed the structure of the soil and, naturally, reduced its ability to retain moisture. It took some time for the coniferous forests to recover from the damage, as the normal succession process cannot take place immediately.

* It should be remembered that in the northern coniferous forests there is no true cedar (Cedrus genus). The English word “cedar” can mean juniper, Siberian cedar pine (most often called so), thuja and cypress. – V.P.

VEGETARIAN BEASTS

Evolution of the helmethorns

Animals that feed on woody vegetation are largest inhabitants in areas covered with coniferous forests. In summer they feed mostly on young shoots and needles, and subsist on a diet of bark, mosses and lichens for the rest of the year. Throughout the northern continent, the most numerous species are those descended from the gigantelopes of the African subcontinent. These northern animals, although heavier than their distant antelope ancestors, are not even close in size to African gigantelopes. Only shaggy forms with Far North living in the tundra can be compared with them in size.
The difference in size between the two different northern forms stems from two different periods of settlement. The first of these took place about forty million years ago, before giant mountain ranges were erected between Africa and Europe, and about the time when the rabbits drove the antelopes out of their original home - from the African plains. Gigantelopes, then still in the early stages of their evolution, were forced to settle north into coniferous forests, where they later began to flourish and turned into helmets. Cornudens spp.
The second wave of migration took place closer to the present, about ten million years ago, when African gigantelopes reached their current elephant proportions. Erosion mountain range, which once separated the Indian subcontinent from the rest of Asia, opened up new routes to the north, and led to the gradual settlement of the tundra and the evolution of the woolly gigantelope Megalodorcas sp.
Soon after the appearance of these animals in the coniferous forests, the jaws and horns of the ancestral forms of helmets began to evolve in accordance with their new habitat. Like the now nearly extinct ruminants, many of these animals lacked upper incisors. They plucked grass using the lower incisors and the bone plate in the upper jaw. But such a system is not very effective for cutting branches from forest trees. The first change that took place was the growth forward of the horny plate on the head, which formed a kind of beak. Underlip became muscular and stretched forward to catch up
with it, thereby stretching the oral cavity forward at some distance from the front teeth. Such a primitive structure is still found in some species, for example, in the helmeted helmet. Cornudens horridus. In more advanced forms, however, the lower jaw also extended forward so that the front teeth were aligned with the horny beak. These adaptations are the result of evolutionary pressure that has allowed only those species to survive that can successfully feed on the branches and bark of conifers, as well as lichens. Bizarre horn formations above the eyes are also used for protection.
The structure of the horns has evolved one step further in the water helmet Cornudens latirostris that inhabits lakes and river banks. This creature has a horny plate stretched forward in the form of a wide formation similar to a rake, with the help of which this animal collects soft aquatic plants, which it looks for at the bottom of ponds and streams. On each leg, he has two wide hooves, widely spread apart and connected by a skin membrane, which prevents the animal from getting bogged down in soft mud and sand. In its way of life, the aquatic helmet is most likely reminiscent of hadrosaurs, the duck-billed dinosaurs of the last half of the Reptilian Age.

As in any other habitat, the animals of the coniferous forest are included in the familiar tangle food chains predators and their prey, with carnivores forming the last link. Here, as in temperate deciduous forests, predatory rats are the most ferocious and common hunters. They hunt under the trees in small packs, stalking the rabbit or helmet, separating the weak and aging individuals from the herd, and driving them to exhaustion. Predatory rats do this before attacking, then tearing apart the prey with strong front teeth. Helmethorns have mighty horns, so if pursued, it can be just as dangerous for both the predator and the one being pursued.
A predator unique to coniferous forests is the pumtret. Vulpemustela acer, a large weasel-like animal, one of the few still living representatives of true predators. Its size - up to two meters in length - makes it the largest predator found in these areas, and it may owe its survival to its low, muscular body and ability to easily run through the sparse undergrowth, suddenly appearing in front of its prey. Pumtrets live in small family groups and usually hunt in pairs.
Not all predators are mammals; birds also take their share of small animal populations. bigbeak Pseudofraga sp., one of the largest birds of prey, has a wingspan of about a meter and lives in the western forests of the Northern Continent. It is descended from the starling, which evolved to fill the gap left when many ancient birds of prey died out in the Age of Man. It has a rounded tail and broad, blunt wings that enable it to fly quickly and agile through densely growing trees. It has a straight strong beak and strong claws that it uses to grab prey. The closest living relative of the big beak, Parops
lepidorostris is a completely different being. It is only ten centimeters long and feeds mainly on insects, which it pulls out of the bark of trees with its thin beak.
With so many predators in the coniferous forest, it's no surprise that small mammals must have many protective devices to ensure their survival. needle-tailed squirrel Humisciurus spinacudatus is a perfect example of their ingenuity. It has a long, wide and flat tail with spines developing on its underside, which lies at rest on the ground. However, when the animal is alarmed, it throws its tail over its back, and with a sharp increase in skin tension, raises its needles. This becomes an almost impenetrable barrier, and can be used to repel an attack from any direction.
Beaver was large rodent, which in the Age of Mammals adapted to a semi-aquatic lifestyle in part to protect against predators. Beaver after man Castor spp. became even better adapted to life in the water. Its tail and hind legs have merged together into one large rowing surface, which, driven by the spine, produces strong rowing movements up and down. Its ears, eyes and nose are set high on the head and remain on the surface when the rest of the animal's body is submerged in water. Surprisingly, the rowing surface does not interfere with the movement of the animal on the ground, and is used as a grasping limb, allowing it to climb trees, expanding the range of possible sources of food and building material.

LIFE IN TREES

Birds and animals that feed on trees and on trees of coniferous forests

Throughout the Age of Mammals, rodents were one of the most successful animal groups in the coniferous forests. Their powerful teeth helped them cope with the hard plant material they found there, and their warm, fluffy skins helped them retain body heat during hibernation.*
Cuttertooth Tenebra vermiforme, a rodent related to the moth squirrel from deciduous forests temperate zone, highly adapted to life in a coniferous forest. Its huge incisors and worm-like body allow it to drill deep tunnels in a living tree, where in winter it is reliably protected from the cold. Although in some respects this animal is at an advanced stage of development, its parasitic lifestyle is rather primitive. The basis of his diet is tree bark, which he strips completely, leaving the tree bare. This, combined with the severe damage it causes by burrowing, kills the tree within a few years.
Since the incisors inhabit only living trees, they must constantly move, and every spring, after hibernation, young individuals of a new generation migrate in search of new lands. During migration, they are very vulnerable, and many of them are taken by predators before they complete their journey. The balance between woodworm and predator is extremely fragile, and only a small decrease in the number of predators is enough to cause an increase in the number of woodworms, which could lead to the complete destruction of the coniferous forest over large areas.
No other small rodent among the inhabitants of coniferous forests is so destructive. Many feed on shoots, bark, and seeds found in cones. Many species live on the ground and forage from the cones when they fall. Other species are lightly built and nimble enough to climb the branches where the cones grow.
One large, similar to vole rodent, travel Scandemys longicaudata, is unusual in that it has a prehensile tail. It is too heavy to reach the cones growing on the thinnest branches, and instead it feeds on them by hanging on its tail on a stronger branch growing nearby, and reaching for them with its front paws. Like other rodents of roughly the same size, it forages more than it needs to meet its one-time needs, and stores the rest for the hungry winter months. Its hibernation nest is a long hanging structure made of grass, strips of bark and pine needles. Hanging from the end of a branch, it is large enough to hold the animal along with enough successful wintering food supply.
Among the many seed-eating birds living in coniferous forests, the largest is the common pine nutcracker** Paraloxus targa. The two sexes of this bird differ greatly in both appearance and lifestyle. The male has a more powerful build and is armed with a massive beak, which he uses to break open pine cones and extract seeds from them. The female, smaller and duller in color, completely lacks the heavy beak of the male and is a scavenger, including carrion, insects, larvae and bird eggs in her diet. It is most likely that the ancestor of the common pine nutcracker was a bird similar in appearance to the modern female, and the distinctive features of the male evolved primarily for mating games, and its food preferences are a secondary adaptation.

An animal that in the summer fish and berries to accumulate fat for a long hibernation. With the advent of snow, he goes into a den until spring.

Another inhabitant of these places is the lynx, the so-called forest cat leading a nocturnal lifestyle. She preys on small predators, birds and hares. When the seasons change, the color of the lynx's coat also changes, which allows it to be invisible. In summer, it has a light brown color with dark spots, and is white. The lynx easily climbs trees, well. It feeds on hares, small rodents, birds, foxes, deer, and often eats sick and weak animals.

The forest giant is popularly called the elk. It eats lichens and moss, eats branches of young trees and bushes. In winter, he rests in the recesses, hiding his legs under a warm belly. Elk prefers young forests and dense thickets near water bodies and swamps, since he is quite dexterous and is able to overcome even marshy swamps.

Herbivorous representatives of the fauna feed on mushrooms, berries, cone seeds, grass, leaves and branches of trees and shrubs.

Deer are quite quiet, at dawn and at sunset they eat grass on the lawns. However, during the mating season, they become cocky and dangerous, arranging duels in the fight for females.

The fox is a typical representative of the coniferous forest fauna. She is a predator and feeds on small rodents. Another large predator and relative of the fox is the wolf. He hunts both small rodents and birds, and big booty- moose, wild boars, he eats carrion.

Medium and small animals

A typical representative of the coniferous forest fauna is a squirrel. It is gray in winter and reddish in summer. She arranges a nest in a hollow or on branches, closer to the trunk. The squirrel lines the nest with dry blades of grass, leaves, lichen, moss and wool. There she hibernates, eating stocks harvested in the fall. There are usually one or two entrances in the nest, which the squirrel closes with lichen or its own tail in frost.

In general, animals that live in coniferous forests are darker in color and have thicker fur. Birds also have soft color and a layer of down to keep them warm.

Hares feed on twigs and bark of birch, aspen, hazel, oak, maple, as well as dried grass. During the day they hide in secluded places - near stumps, trunks, in the bushes. When frost comes, hares dig deep holes for themselves. They sleep with open eyes. Wide strong paws allow the animal to easily move in the forest, including in the snow, and escape from predators.

Different kinds families of mustelids are well adapted to life in the taiga. These are martens, sables, weasels, minks, wolverines, ermines, etc.

Among the small animals inhabiting coniferous forests are lemmings, voles, chipmunks, hedgehogs and others. Among reptiles there are lizards, snakes, vipers.