Hobbies And Interests
Large Mammals
The American black bear is a great example of a mammal that has adapted well to the temperate forest. During the dramatic climate shift from summer to winter, the bear stores fat that will sustain itself and even a litter of cubs through the cold weather while it sleeps to preserve energy. Although at one time its numbers dwindled, the white-tailed deer is now plentiful and often hunted by humans for sport and food. Both large canines (such as coyotes, foxes and timber wolves) and felines (like mountain lions and bobcats) also inhabit the temperate forest.
Small Mammals
One of the most common small mammals in the temperate forest is the Eastern gray squirrel. Like chipmunks, they feed on nuts and seeds on the forest floor. Opposums, skunks and raccoons will eat not only that, but also nearly anything edible they can get their paws on. Cottontail rabbits, which include many different species of the Sylvilagus genus, are not hard to find munching on leafy vegetation in the deciduous forests of North America.
Birds
Thanks to the long spring season that supports a bounty of insects, birds such as warblers flourish in this environment. Many species migrate here to take advantage of the early summer and leave again when the air starts to cool. The national symbol of the United States, the bald eagle, makes its home in the temperate forests. Owls, including the great horned owl, make a good living here by feeding on the many rodents that live on or in the ground. Wild turkeys and hawks are common forest birds in North America. Many species of woodpecker can also be found hunting insect larvae by boring holes into trees with their beaks. The holes they leave can sometimes serve as nests for their young, or even the young of other bird species.
Insects
Temperate forests are crawling with bugs. They fill the air with their calling, as in the case of katydids and cicadas, and some even leave their marks on the trees. Every spring, Eastern tent caterpillars work together to build silk, tent-like structures on tree branches where they hatched from eggs. Here they spend their days, waiting until nightfall to come out to eat. Their silken nests are common sights often confused with webworm nests; both are an obvious reminder at the enormous variety of insects in the temperate forests of North America, many of which have incredible survival strategies and characteristics. For instance, the Luna moth is a remarkable insect that is able to hear a bat's ultrasonic clicking noises, helping it avoid the predator. The Northern walking stick is aptly named for its resemblance to a small twig, camouflaging it from hungry insect eaters. The common earthworm is helpful to any gardener by aerating and dispersing the nutrients in the soil.
Reptiles and Amphibians
The American toad and box turtles both live on the forest floor, enjoying the high humidity and feeding on the leaves and invertebrates there. Fowler's toad is very similar in appearance to the American toad, and the two often breed together. Salamanders, newts and many frog species have all adapted to live comfortably in the climate of the temperate forests. In fact, the wood frog is so comfortable here that it can live after being frozen solid in subzero temperatures.