How do hares hibernate? Places of their habitation, features of a food

Seasonal changes occurring in inanimate nature have a significant impact on the life of plants and animals. To a greater extent these changes concern conditions of existence of wild animals. Winter is the time of the year when it is especially difficult for inhabitants of forests, steppes, and reservoirs. During this period, they need to adapt to difficult natural conditions for survival . Many of them are specially prepared for winter.

How do the hares meet the cold season?

We can say that in the life of hares there is not a period that can be characterized as preparation for winter. Zverek does not build shelters, nests, in advance does not organize beds. He does not make supplies for the winter. The hare does not need to do this in advance, as everything he needs for himself will be found in his place of residence at any time of the year and in all weather conditions.

The only thing that is connected in the life of a hare with preparation for the winter is its molting. It starts in September and ends in October, and in some cases in November. This changes the color of the coat. The hare in the forest in winter is invisible to predators and hunters due to the fact that his coat becomes white. The fur becomes thicker and longer, which saves the animal from fierce frosts.

Types of hares and their habitats

Before giving an answer to the question of how hares hibernate, it is necessary to know exactly what kind they are talking about. In Russia, the most common are two species - hares and whites. They live in different conditions, so their habits are different. The life of rabbits in winter will not be exactly the same.

Rusaks prefer open places - meadows, fields, steppes. Only occasionally they visit the copses and orchards.

The hare-bunny dwells most often in mixed forests, where there are thickets of aspen, willow. Osoka, growing in marshy places, also attracts rabbits of this species. Belyaks living in tundra conditions are usually found in thickets of shrubs. In the forest-steppe, hares are inhabited by pegs - small forest areas.

How do hares hibernate?

Both types of winter are relaxing. These are secluded places where they spend the entire bright part of the day. Hares lie usually under some kind of shelter - a bush, a snow hymn, a woodpile, a fence, in a pit, a ravine. During a snowfall or a drizzle the animal sweeps snow and becomes less visible. It is in this weather that the hare is most protected: traces have disappeared under the snow, and even it is not visible. With the onset of darkness the animal goes on feeding, as at this time of day the hare also feels more secure.

Between the lair and the place of fat, you can see on the fresh snow clear traces of the beast. It is for them that hunters and carnivores hunt down the hare. But it can not be so easy. Returning from the place of feeding to the couch, the animal confuses the tracks. To do this, he winds, makes great jumps aside, passes through the same place several times.

What do animals eat in winter?

In the footsteps one can not only locate a hare or a hog, but also find out how the hares hibernate. So, for example, it is noticed that at the very beginning of winter, when there is not much snow, both species live near fields with winter crops. It is here that they feed on young shoots of rye and wheat.

Hares have to change their habitat as the snow cover grows. In the fields there is no way to find enough food. Animals choose less snow-covered areas. Rusak moves closer to the gardens, gardens, cottages. Here, animals, eating the bark of fruit trees, cause considerable damage to plantings. Especially from the teeth of a hare, young seedlings suffer.

In the forest, where the hare is hibernating, there is enough feed until the very spring. Animals feed on bark and branches of hardwoods and shrubs, frozen berries, dried grass. At mowing, they eat hay harvested for pets, than they also do certain harm.

How do rabbits save themselves from enemies in the winter?

Talking about how hunters hibernate, we must not forget that a small animal often becomes prey to animals such as wolves, foxes. It is necessary to hide to him and from birds of prey. What helps the hare to cope with such strong opponents? This is primarily his ability to run. The soles of the paws of the animal in winter are covered with thick wool, which makes its foot wide and makes it easy to move even on loose snow without falling through. The paws of the hare's fingers give off a lot of sweat, which means that there is no sticking of snow. The animal moves freely both along deep snow, and along the ice-cold crust formed on the surface of the snow cover.

The hares have very strong hind legs. Due to their special structure, small animals can perform large jumps during movement. In addition, by hitting the hind legs, the animal is able to fight off the predator. Swift running of the animal, its strong legs not only help him in search of food, but very often save from pursuers.