Snowshoe Hare
Today we took a field trip into the city of Halifax. While we were there we went to the Museum of Natural History. There were a lot of cool things there, but the coolest of all was a global warming exhibit. Here is a picture of a sign that was made and posted outside the exhibit.
This sign is a very true statement, and we need to do what we can to start helping to save the earth.
I asked you to research the snowshoe hare and report your findings to me. Because of you I had a great base of knowledge when I talked with the other teachers and the scientists about them. Here is what I know so far from you and a little about what I have learned here.
Most of you told me that you found or knew that a snowshoe hare is white and that it lives in the forest. You are right. Snowshoe hares are a type of mammal who live in the forest and they are white (but only during the winter months). They are not white all the time, during spring and summer they turn brown so they match their surroundings. This is called an adaptation. When an animal changes something (like it's fur color) to match it's surroundings it is called an adaptation. This helps the snowshoe hare to survive because it makes it harder for it's predators to see it as it moves through the forest.
OK, now you know that the snowshoe hare's fur changes color. One other very important thing to know is that it cannot just change it's fur color like we change our shoes. The hare actually has no control over it's changing fur at all. The hare's fur changes with the length of day (NOT the color of it's surroundings). So, as the days get shorter the hares fur begins to change from brown to white and as the days start to get longer (in the summer) it's fur changes back to brown.
This used to work perfectly for the snowshoe hare but now, because of global warming, there is less and less snow every year. Even though there is less and less snow the hare is still changing from brown to white when the days become shorter.
Based on everything that you already knew and what I have now told you, how do you think global warming is affecting snowshoe hares? Can you think of any other animals that might be impacted in a similar way?
posted by Ms. Livingston @ 5:36 AM
15 Comments:
Ms. Livingston,
We are so proud of you being so brave out there with those frogs. About the other animals that would be affected by less snow are all the mammals that usually hibernate in the winter, like bears. Less snowfall also means less water on the plants come springtime. That would affect their growth. If the plants don't get enough water then they could stop producing some of the fruit and fresh green leaves that so many of the small mammals eat. Yikes!
I hope you're having a great time in the field. Talk with you soon.
-Mrs. Hernandez
Dear Ms. Livingston,
The hare can't camoflauge into the snow so its enemies can see it and they can eat the hare.
Also, lizards can't stay in the trees because they are cutting down the trees and they can't camoflauge in the trees.
Love,
Sieanna, Stephanie C., Abi, and Gabriel in Room 12
Dear Ms. Livingston,
When there is a little bit of snow, the predator comes. It could maybe see the hare and eat it.
Love,
Alex and Dayana in Room 12
Dear Ms. Livingston,
It will affect the snowshoe because when all the snow melts, they won't be able to protect themselves because they could kill the snowshoe because if they are white and all of the snow melt, they won't camoflauge.
Love,
Deisy and Jacqueline in Room 12
Dear Ms. Livingston,
The snowshoe hare will be white in the winter and there will be no snow. And the predators will find them and eat them.
Same goes with some types of lizard.
Love,
Alondra, Jose, Luis, and Zori in Room 12
Dear Ms. Livingston,
It is the Atlantic Ocean. Here is a poem about it:
The waves are so sad because
people don't visit me any more!
And
I want to see them if
I could only move!
Please
bring
them
please
I am
begging you.
Lastly, I think there's dead plants and animals because there is no sunshine.
Erin,
We are at Mr. Zielesch's house he has been looking at your blogg and he thinks it's very interesting. So more people have seen you now. I also gave the blogg info to Dick And Sue for them and their kids to look at. Love Ya, see you soon. Dad, Karen and Mr. Zielesch
Hi , Ms.Livingston ,we think that we have an answer to your question. if there is less snow ,the hare won't have anything to camouflage in. it's predators can find it easily . with the global warming the snow melts fast and it is dangerous. that is all we have to say.
P.S. remember 4th grade ROCKS!!!!
Dear Miss Livingston, We think the enviorment is efecting the snowshoe hare because ther is less snow each year and they need snow to survive.
P.S You Rock!
Hi Ms. Livingston! We think Global Warming is affecting the snowshoe hares because it gives too much heat to the snow and it makes it melt. So the snowshoe hares can't camouflage to the snow any more and they won't be able to hide from their predators any more. We will miss you sooooooo much!!!!!!!
HI,Ms. Livingston, we think the reason global warming is effecting the snowshoe Hares habitat is because it's melting it's habitat.And killing the Snowshoe Hares.
Global warming is affecting other animals that like the snow by evaporating it. Predators can see animals that are trying to camouflage.
Dear Ms..Livingston,
The Atlantic Ocean is the one that is close to Nova Scotia..
I felt as relax as a cat sleeping in the bed.
The sun is rising and the water keeps rising up and animals die.
Global warming affects snow shoes because ther know more snow and ther predator can eat them.
Love, Mario, Jose R, Ana M, Maria
Dear Ms. Livingston,
We think it affects snowshoe hares because there is no snow so you could see it and eat it. The lizard can also adapt and camoflouge but not when global warming is around.
From,
Jesus, Jennifer, and Abel
Ms. Livingston,
We think the reason the snowshoe hare is being killed is because without snow it can be seen by its predators. Plus, the snowshoe hare is slower than its predators, why? Have you ever seen a hare running while wearing snowshoes...they are quite slow!! We love your work and we also love you!
Dave, Marsha, Jacob, Joanna, and Matthew
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