What do taiga rabbits eat?

Taiga rabbits, also known as snowshoe hares, have a varied diet that changes with the seasons:

Summer:

* Green vegetation: They primarily feed on grasses, herbs, leaves, and twigs of deciduous trees like aspen, birch, and willow.

* Flowers: They enjoy a variety of wildflowers and berries.

* Bark: They may eat the bark of young trees, especially during times of scarcity.

Winter:

* Twigs and bark: They heavily rely on twigs and bark of coniferous trees like spruce, fir, and pine.

* Buds: They also eat buds from these trees.

* Lichens and mosses: These become a significant part of their diet during winter.

Other food sources:

* Mushrooms: They may consume mushrooms when available.

* Fruit: Occasionally, they may eat berries and other fruits.

* Roots: They may dig up roots in search of food.

Adaptation for winter:

* Taiga rabbits have special adaptations to survive the harsh winter. Their fur changes color from brown in summer to white in winter, providing camouflage in the snowy environment.

* They also have large, fur-covered feet that act as snowshoes, allowing them to move easily on top of the snow.

Note: The specific diet of taiga rabbits may vary depending on their location, the availability of food, and the specific season.