| The dry pine forests are ideal habitat for reptiles. Various lizard species are common, as well as snakes which are not found in more dense, moist broad-leaved forests. As in many other forest types, squirrels and chipmunks can be found running about energetically. Here they feed on the acorn crop produced by oaks growing among the pines. This food source also attracts birds including acorn woodpeckers. Another species of woodpecker in the southern pine/oak forest takes advantage of the sap-producing pine trees to surround its nesting holes with a thick, sticky layer to keep predators out. | For most animals, the fast-moving, small fires common in these forests are not a real threat. Birds can fly away from them, and mammals can usually escape or take shelter underground for the short while it takes for the fire to pass. The huge fires bound to happen after years of fire suppression, however, are much more dangerous, not only for the animals living in the forest, but the humans living around the forest. |
coniferous forests -- page 4 of 4
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[fire] [forest life] [woodpeckers]
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