Fauna
Canadian Lynx
The Canadian Lynx is naturally a slower animal so its hunting tactic is to ambush its prey. The taiga is suitable for this reason because the hundreds of trees minimize the space small animals such as hares and voles have to run. This allows for the Lynx to ambush its prey more easily rather than chase it down.
Canadian Lynxes also have the ability to change the colour of their coat depending on the season. In the winter, their coats are silvery brown and in the summer, it changes to a more reddish shade.
With the taiga being a very cold environment with lots of snow, the large feet of the Lynx becomes an advantage is it allows the animal to stay on top of the surface rather than sinking.
Canadian Lynxes also have the ability to change the colour of their coat depending on the season. In the winter, their coats are silvery brown and in the summer, it changes to a more reddish shade.
With the taiga being a very cold environment with lots of snow, the large feet of the Lynx becomes an advantage is it allows the animal to stay on top of the surface rather than sinking.
Long Eared Owl
The left ear of the owl is located higher up than its right ear. This adaptation allows for the owl to hunt by sound easier. This is helpful in forest areas where the owl has to rely on its hearing in order to maneuver through the trees to find the prey.
The Long Eared Owl also has special designs on its feathers to make them look like pieces of bark. This allows for the owl to hide from predators. More specific to the taiga, this is advantageous because food is very scarce in the taiga so the owl's ability to camouflage increases its chance of survival.
The Long Eared Owl also has special designs on its feathers to make them look like pieces of bark. This allows for the owl to hide from predators. More specific to the taiga, this is advantageous because food is very scarce in the taiga so the owl's ability to camouflage increases its chance of survival.
Wolverine
The Wolverine is a very strong animal with powerful jaws made for biting through frozen meat. This helps the animal survive because the environment of the taiga is very cold the ability to chew through frozen meat still allows the animal to feed.
The Wolverine is also a very good hunter which makes it suitable for the taiga as food can sometimes be scarce.
Like the Canadian Lynx, Wolverines also have large paws that allow them to stay on the surface in areas of deep snow.
The Wolverine is also a very good hunter which makes it suitable for the taiga as food can sometimes be scarce.
Like the Canadian Lynx, Wolverines also have large paws that allow them to stay on the surface in areas of deep snow.
River Otter
To survive in the harsh climate of the taiga, river otters have two coats; the inner and the outer. The inner coat is made up of short and thick hair close to the body to insulate the otter. The outer coat is made of longer hairs that are water resistant in order to protect the inner coat of the otter. As well, the hairs of the otter prevent the animal from freezing when not in the water.
Red Fox
Because of the fox's ability to adapt to different habitats, the animal easily survives in the taiga. Red foxes are very intelligent which allows them to survive in many different habitats.
The red fox mainly hunts small animals such as rabbits which can also be found in the taiga.
These animals are also very resourceful as they shelter in abandoned dens and burrows to keep from the cold.
The red fox mainly hunts small animals such as rabbits which can also be found in the taiga.
These animals are also very resourceful as they shelter in abandoned dens and burrows to keep from the cold.
Flora
Balsam Fir
Balsam Firs have shallow roots to take advantage of the minerals that can be found in the upper layers of the soil. The Balsam Fir is perfect for the taiga biome because the tree thrives in soil that is slightly acidic.
The needles of the Balsam Fir are also covered in a waxy substance that allows the tree to retain water.
The needles of the Balsam Fir are also covered in a waxy substance that allows the tree to retain water.
Fireweed
The fireweed plant grows very well in the wake of fires which makes it suitable for the taiga as wildfires are common in the biome.
The fireweed plant also has the ability to grow in all types of soils from soils with high acidity to dry ground.
The fireweed plant also has the ability to grow in all types of soils from soils with high acidity to dry ground.
Lingonberries
Lingonberries are plant best suited in cooler environments which makes it suitable in the taiga as the average temperature for most months is below freezing.
Lingonberry plants also prefer more acidic soil which is interesting as many plants do not grow well in such ground conditions.
Lingonberry plants also prefer more acidic soil which is interesting as many plants do not grow well in such ground conditions.
Larch
Larch trees have the ability to grow well in dry and barren ground such as the soil in the taiga biome.
The larch tree is also very suitable to the taiga because it grows well in very cold climates.
Larch trees also have the ability to survive wildfires as its bark is very resistant and thick.
The larch tree is also very suitable to the taiga because it grows well in very cold climates.
Larch trees also have the ability to survive wildfires as its bark is very resistant and thick.
Cotton Grass
Cotton grass has the adaptation of being able to grow in soil with a high acidity which allows the plant to thrive in the northern taiga region.
Cotton grass also has the ability to perform photosynthesis in low temperatures which allows it to survive in very cold environments.
Cotton grass also has the ability to perform photosynthesis in low temperatures which allows it to survive in very cold environments.