Hobbies And Interests
Habitat
A habitat is where an animal lives. It has to have several essential elements in the proper mix to allow an animal to prosper, including adequate cover in which to live, adequate food supply, water supply and perhaps specialized areas to fit the life needs required by specific species.
Predation
Until you get to the apex predator in a region, all animals fit somewhere in the food chain. Animals at the bottom of the chain, such as rodents and rabbits, are food for almost any predator. Larger animals may be immune from small predators, but even the some of the largest animals in North America, such as elk and moose, are prey for wolves, grizzlies or mountain lions.
Winter
In most areas, winter weather poses significant survival problems for many animals. Snow or ice can bury habitat and food supplies. Food supplies can run out. Severe cold and storms can kill animals outright. Predators require more food to remain healthy. By spring, animal populations are at an annual low.
Food
Animals can nest in marginal cover. The habitat doesn't have to be perfect to allow a few animals to survive, but with inadequate food, any species has a problem. If the food supply is meager to begin with, then dwindles away, that's a problem. If a snow or ice storm covers the food supply for several days or weeks, that also is a problem. Well-fed animals are more likely to be survivors. Poorly fed animals are more likely to succumb to weather, predation or disease.