Temperate Deciduous Forest is teeming with life, and you can be a part!
Animal 1- American Bald Eagle
Animal 2- American Black Bear
Animal 3- Duckbill Platypus
Animal 4- White-tailed Deer
Animal 5- Coyote
Animal 6- Least Weasel
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Genus: Haliaeetus
Species: leucocephalus The American Bald Eagle is a top carnivore in its habitat. Its niche is as a predator and either secondary or tertiary consumer, and it resides normally in the top of the tallest trees available in very large nests. (Check out our Interesting Facts page for even more on Bald Eagles.) Adaptation 1- Eagle Eyesight! American Bald Eagles' eyesight is four to eight times better than that of a human. A human eye contains a depression in the retina containing the maximum amount of sensory cells, called a fovea. A Bald Eagle's retina contains not just one, but two fovea in each eye allowing for optimal vision forwards and side wards! Adaptation 2- Hold on tight! A bald Eagles talons are equipped with special bumps called, "spicules" that enable them to catch and hold onto fish without dropping them in mid-flight. Genus: Ursus
Species: americanus The American Black Bear is one of the most feared predators in its habitat. It is at the top of the food chain and eats anything from berries, fish, or your backyard bird feeder. They weigh from 220 to 595 pounds and can still move at a top speed of 25 miles per hour. Adaptation 1- Bear winter jacket American Black Bears have many layers of fur that protect them from the cold winters while they are hibernating. These shaggy fur layers are the equivalent to wearing a large winter jacket. Adaptation 2- Up and Away Even though American Black Bears are massive animals, they are still able to use their adapted claws to shimmy up trees faster than you could believe. Genus: Ornithornychus
Species: anatinus The Duckbill Platypus lives in the deciduous forests of Australia. Duckbill Platypus are carnivorous animals that mainly feed on frog, shrimp, and tadpole. It resides along streams and river beds and keeps one entrance to its burrow in the water and another one on land. Adaptation 1- Dangerous Ankles When handling a venomous animal you are usually watching its teeth and mouth, however when handling Platypus you must be very careful with their ankles which holds spurs that contain venom to protect them against predators. Adaptation 2- Water Proof Nostrils Unlike humans who sometimes need to squeeze their noses while jumping in water to avoid water to get in them, Duckbill Platypuses nostrils automatically close when going under water. Genus: Odocoileus
Species: virginianus White-tailed Deer, also known as, Key Deer or Jumping Deer, are primary consumers. White tailed deer are a keystone species in this biome due to their irreplaceable role in the ecosystem. They are herbivores and eat green plants in the summer and nuts and acorns in the winter. They were once almost wiped out from the midwest and northeast of the United States because they are a high prey source, but have since then protected by hunting restrictions and are growing in population. Adaptation 1- Camouflage The brown fur of the deer helps camouflage against the undergrowth in the forest. However, these animals are not the type to sit and hide, they will normally run for their lives at the first sight of danger. Adaptation 2- Observant Animals Deers have very good senses to protect them from predators. They have very good eyesight and sense of smell and a keen sense of hearing. It is highly unlikely to see a White-tailed Deer before it sees you. Genus: Canis
Species: Latrans Coyotes can be found in the deciduous forest as well as suburbs of big cities and open grasslands. Weighing in at 15-45 pounds, Coyotes are fierce carnivores who will either hunt individually or in packs. Adaptation 1- Survival of the Smartest Coyotes are very intelligent which gives them an advantage when hunting. When there is an abundant amount of small animals and fruits Coyotes will hunt alone. When food runs low and the only prey are larger mammals such as deer, the coyotes are smart enough to form packs to hunt and kill them. Adaptation 2- Communicating With Ears Coyotes use their ears for more than just hearing. They can move their ears to tell other coyotes how they feel. They can also represent what rank they are in the pack. Genus: Mustela
Species: nivalis If you take a trip to the Northeast Asian Deciduous you may find a small little mammal that likes to live around rock walls, barns, hedges, and farmland. This animal is the Least Weasel. It has a long slender bodies which helps its agility when catching mice, rats, rabbits, moles or birds. This little guy is still a tertiary consumer. He is also a scavenger. Adaptation 1- Watch Your Ankles The Least Weasel's nails are adapted for its carnivorous ways. They are very sharp to catch and kill its prey. If you saw a Least Weasel you certainly wouldn't want one of those nails catching your skin! Adaption 2- What color is a Least Weasel? The ironic part about this question is it can be answered with a question. In what season? You would have to ask this because the Weasel's fur in the summer is a light brown(right picture) but in the winter it completely changes its coat to a pure white color(left). This helps hide from predators using camouflage. |