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, have an active existence in tunnels and corridors below the snowpack,
• black grouse are known to dig igloos to protect themselves from wintry conditions,
• and mountain hares simply stop moving when caught in a snowstorm to allow themselves to be covered by snow.

Voles

Several species of voles, such as the snow mouse (Chionomys nivalis) and the field mouse (Microtus arvalis) have extensive networks of corridors underneath the snowpack during the winter months. Such networks give the little critters the opportunity to move around freely in their search for food. The environment beneath the snow (the so-called subnivean zone) doesn’t only provide insulation, but also some protection from predators, such as owls and foxes.

Shrews

The Eurasian shrew (Sorex araneus) also lives below the snow in winter. This little insect eater is as quick as lightning and loves eating worms, snails and all sorts of insects. Eurasian shrews have an exceptionally fast metabolism which means that when it’s cold and they’re short on food they can die within a few hours, despite the insulating effect of the snow.

Black grouse

The black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) doesn’t build tunnels below the snow, but this medium-sized bird digs an igloo in the snowpack to protect itself from wintry conditions. Even during periods of mild temperatures, it likes to spend time snoozing in its self-dug hole.

Snow hare

The mountain hare (Lepus timidus) also uses snow as insulation during blizzards (see my previous blog). When surprised by a storm, the mountain hare remains motionless in the same spot. After a few minutes or hours, depending on how hard it snows, a small natural ‘igloo’ will form around the animal. Whilst waiting for calmer weather to arrive, a mountain hare, protected by its thick winter coat and a layer of snow, can sit motionless for hours without getting cold.

To be continued…

This blog is part of a series in which I discuss some of the extraordinary strategies and adaptations of wildlife coping with winter in the Alps:

• Introduction
• Hibernation
• Life underneath the snow
• Animals turning white
• Surviving on food storage
• Vertical Migration 
• Coping strategies of ibex, chamois and deer 

• Author
• Recent Posts

Simone van Velzen

In her work as an alpine naturalist Simone adds an exciting new dimension to your Tour du Mont Blanc trek with insights into the incredibly rich flora and fauna of the Alps. Simone studied Wildlife Management at the Van Hall Institute in the Netherlands. After her studies she left her home country (which is flatter than a pancake) and moved to British Columbia. In the Canadian Rockies, she discovered the astonishing richness of mountain environments. Her passion for mountain nature was born. And when she returned to Europe, she based herself in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, the perfect setting for exploring and studying the natural history of mountain environments. As an alpine naturalist she writes for outdoor magazines and leads excursions in the natural world.

If you step into the natural world with Simone, her passion for all living things—wild flowers to lichen, birds to mammals—can’t help but rub off on you. She’s excited to meet you on your Tour du Mont Blanc and share the amazing natural wonders in the Alps.

Latest posts by Simone van Velzen (see all)

• The Alps: A Biodiversity Treasure Trove - December 10, 2020
• Flora in the Alps – Spotlight on the Alpenrose - June 25, 2020
• Tour du Mont Blanc Hightlight: The Contamines-Montjoie Nature Reserve - May 21, 2020