Trascrizione
Only a few animals have managed to adapt and survive the harsh winter conditions at high altitudes. Most animals in these areas adopt a different strategy, which is to move to warmer places when winter arrives! Some migratory birds, like the Ring Ouzel and the Wheatear, even travel as far as the Sahara Desert in North Africa for the winter.
Others simply move to lower elevations, such as the Rock Ptarmigan and the Rock Partridge, which descends to the valley floor. And then there is the Marmot, which spends months in hibernation, with slowed metabolic activity, taking refuge in underground burrows equipped with all the comforts.
But there are other animals that remain active even during winter, however harsh this might be.
Among them, some change the colour of their fur to blend in with their surroundings. For example, the Ptarmigan, the Mountain Hare, and the Stoat turn white in winter, thanks to the replacement of their feathers or fur.
Another strategy helps them move better in snowy conditions: the Alpine Hare has splayed toes and developed plantar pads to move gracefully on the snow without sinking. The Ptarmigan, on the other hand, has feathered feet that act like snowshoes, allowing them to walk on the snow without sinking.