Many wildlife species that live in cold climates have adapted to winter snow cover and depend upon it for their survival. Species such as the snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), white-tailed ptarmigan (Lagopus leucurus), and short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea) have adapted to snowy environments with fur or plumage that turns white in winter and hides them from predators. The Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) is well adapted to deep snow with large paws that act as snowshoes, allowing them to walk on top of the snowpack. Without deep snow, bobcats, fishers, and other predators may outcompete lynx for prey. Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) and martens (Martes americana) seek refuge from below-freezing air temperatures by burrowing under an insulating blanket of snow. Similarly, wolverines (Gulo gulo) raise their young kits in dens beneath the snow, which provides thermal benefits and protects them from predators. A climate that warms enough to shorten the snow season in their habitats puts these and other snow-adapted species at a disadvantage.
Citations:
Aubrey, K.B, K.S. McKelvey, and J.P. Copeland. 2007. Distribution and Broadscale Habitat Relations of the Wolverine in the Contiguous United States. Journal of Wildlife Management (71): 2147-2158.
Hoving C.L., R.A. Joseph, and W.B. Krohn. 2003. Recent and historical distributions of Canada lynx in Maine and the Northeast. Northeastern Naturalist (10): 363-382.
Ruggiero, Len; McKelvey, Kevin; Squires, John; Block, William. 2008. Wildlife and Climate Change. (May 20, 2008). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Climate Change Resource Center.
Thompson, F.R. and E.K. Fritzell. 1988. Ruffed Grouse Winter Roost Site Preference and Influence on Energy Demands. Journal of Wildlife Management (52): 454-460.
Wilbert, C.J., S.W. Buskirk, and K.G. Gerow. 2000. Effects of Weather and Snow on Habitat Selection by American Martens (Martes Americana). Canadian Journal of Zoology (78): 1691-1696.
