peaks in two days

Under the cover of snow, these small mammals can travel freely with less fear of being seen or captured. They wind their way through snow tunnels as they feed on seeds, tree bark and shrubs. Enough light penetrates the snowpack to make life here pretty comfortable and their keen senses serve them well in their sub-crystalline world.

Yet it’s not quite as safe and cozy as it sounds.

There are certain risks that accompany life beneath the snow.

Decaying plants and the rodent’s own exhaled breath can prove deadly. Many mouse holes found on the snow’s surface are actually vents designed to get rid of a buildup of toxic gas. These air shafts are about as thick as a human finger and easy to find in early winter.

The food chain never rests, even in the dead of winter. The scents that emanate from these openings tell hungry weasels (called ermine in winter) or coyotes that dinner is not far away. Shrews and weasels take advantage of their own small size to pursue voles through the tunnels. Shrews sometimes stay beneath the snowpack for a long time, and ermine come and go searching for mice, voles or shrews to eat. Foxes, coyotes and great gray owls give voles the ultimate surprise when they crash through the snowpack looking for supper. Though witnessing a catch is rare, it’s not unusual to see impressions of feet, wings, and bodies where a predator has plunged into the snow.

Red squirrels often descend from the trees and go under the snow to visit their stored food, too. They might find that traveling beneath the snow is easier, safer and warmer than surface routes.

Ruffed grouse roost beneath the snow to escape bitter cold. The birds fly into loose, deep snow and tunnel a few feet before settling down for the night or until a cold snap is over. The snow offers the grouse shelter and warmth, but little food. They usually abandon their hiding place after a few days to eat tree buds. The explosion of a disturbed grouse bursting skyward from its roost under the crust has startled many a skier and snowshoer.

With our animal friends leading by

example, small wonder so many campers enjoy sleeping inside a snow hut or quinzee (see the Winter 2002 issue of Ottawa Outdoors Magazine issue for more information on quinzee-building).

— Dora Boersma is a biologist and nature enthusiast who works for Environment Canada.

On track for the wild blue yonder.