Animal+Adaptations+-+Temperate+Deciduous+Forest


 * __ Animal Adaptations __**

**__ Snowy Owl __** Snowy owls evolved to have white coats in order to better camouflage themselves in the more northern temperate deciduous forests. This arose as a predation strategy in order to better equip the owl to hunt other organisms, such as its frequent prey of rodents or hares (C1). Due to being diurnal (hunting at both night and day), owls have evolved to have extremely powerful night vision that allows them to hunt as readily at night as they do during the day (C2). Owls have also evolved to be incredibly silent fliers, enabling them to prey on other organisms without being detected (C3)

**__ Pileated Woodpecker __** The pileated woodpecker evolved to be better suited to hunting prey, particularly various ants and insects. Its most distinctive feature is its beak, which grew long enough to be able to poke into the holes that it drills into rotten wood ( C4 ). In order to withstand the process of drilling holes, however, several small adaptations also occurred, such as the lengthening of the woodpecker’s tongue to allow it to venture around, a strong skull to withstand the force of the impact, and special membranes that protect the woodpecker’s eyes ( C5 ).

**__ Tree Squirrel __** The tree squirrel is a common area in the woods of North Carolina, and has adapted in various ways to suit itself in the environment. Squirrels have adapted special pads on their feet that suit them for jumping distances, relatively sharp claws that allow them to climb trees with ease, and cheek pouches that let them store large amounts of nuts in their mouths (C6). Squirrels also hibernate for the winter until warmer weather comes, so being able to store so much food is helpful. Squirrels also have teeth that never stop growing, due to the virtue of gnawing on so many nuts that it became necessary (C7)



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