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Forests
Pine, fir, spruce, and hemlock trees thrive in northern forest environments.
Mountains are cold in the winter and warm in the summer. The forest trees
must be able to survive months of cold winter with deep snow on the ground.
The snowshoe hare has adaptations that allow it to live in the forest all
year. In winter, it grows white fur. The white fur blends in with the white
snow, making the hare hard to see. Camouflage improves the hare’s chances
of survival. The sharp-eyed owl can spot the hare only when the hare moves.
The owl’s sharp talons and strong beak allow it to catch the hare for a meal.
A pine and fir
forest in the
mountains
A great
horned owl
A snowshoe hare
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