Life Underneath the Snow Snow is such a good insulator that some animals in the Alps have evolved extraordinary strategies to use snow to keep them warm during winter; Small mammals, like voles and shrews, …
Continue reading “Life Underneath the Snow | Wildlife in the Alps Part 4”
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One of my most favourite examples of how well animals in the Alps are adapted to their environment is the mountain hare (Lepus timidus). It’s adaptations to winter conditions are phenomenal. A snow hare’s fur …
Continue reading “Wildlife in the Alps coping with winter: Part 3 – Turning White”
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One way of facing the cold winter months in the Alps is by going to sleep. As soon as days turn shorter several animal species in our mountains go into hibernation, only to become active …
Continue reading “Wildlife in the Alps coping with winter: Part 2 – Hibernation”
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It’s winter in the Alps. Large snowflakes are whirling from the sky, silently falling between the branches of spruce trees. I’m slowly making my way through the dense forests of the Contamines-Montjoie nature reserve, the …
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Our guides at Alpenwild get lots of questions about the differences between ibex (Capra ibex) and chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra). These are the two iconic animals that most of our hikers are hoping to see during …
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The chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) is one of the most iconic wildlife species of the Alps and it is quite easy to recognize them. Their short black horns have a very characteristic shape: they are curved …
Continue reading “Wildlife in the Alps: Spotlight on the Chamois”
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If you’ve ever been lucky enough to spot a male alpine ibex (Capra ibex) in the Alps, then you probably would have noticed not only its huge horns, but also its muscular, athletic body. A …
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Incredible encounter with a magpie The best thing about watching wildlife in the mountains is observing animals without interrupting their normal activities. I just love watching them going about their daily routine. So, I always …
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