Biome Key
Animals of the
Temperate Decidous Forests

The Temperate Deciduous Forest Biome

 

Using Apple's QuickTime Virtual Reality Software we can explore the change of seasons in the temperate deciduous forests of central New York.

In the winter time, December through February, snow covers the ground. All the deciduous trees and plants loose their leaves and go into a dormant state. Many of the animals also go dormant through the winter. Some hibernate, while others simply slow their metabolisms down and eat food they stored during the summer and fall seasons.

In the spring, March through May, The trees and deciduous plants grow new leaves to capture the energy from the sun. In the spring the sun is in the sky for longer periods of time each day, providing more and more energy. In the early spring plants on the floor of the forest, like the painted trillium, use the sun's energy to produce flowers for reproduction before the tree canopy over head grows to thick with leaves to let the sun penetrate to the forest floor. Can you find the painted trilliums in this forest. (HINT: although they are called painted trilliums, they are actually white.)

Questions For The Experts:

  • What is the least/most common animal in the deciduous forest?
  • What is the oddest looking tree in the deciduous forest?
  • What is the biggest tree in the deciduous forest?
  • What other products besides wood are produced by things in the deciduous forest?
  • Do all deciduous trees change color during the fall?
  • What kinds of animals live in the deciduous forest?
  • What is the tallest broadleaf tree in the deciduous forest?
  • Do broadleaf leaves change color or fall off in warmer climates such as Florida?
  • What are the standards for the broadleaf tree to live and grow?
  • What is the lifespan of some of the broadleaf trees?
  • How much water do broadleaf trees take in each day?
  • Where does a gray squirrel live in a deciduous forests?
  • What is a deciduous forest?
  • What is the highest temperature a deciduous forest can reach?
  • What is the lowest temperature that it can reach?
  • Why aren't dec. forests all over the country, why arte they just on the
  • eastern coast?
  • Whay do some raccoons live in trees? Is it for protection?
  • Why do deciduous forests grow where there is 75-150 cm of rainfall?

Where is this biome found?

Deciduous forests are found in North America, Europe, and Asia. They are found mostly around 0-50 degrees north latitude.

 

What geological events are related to the formation of this biome?

Geological events that happened in this area have mostly to do with glaciers and the ice age. Thousands of years ago there was ice covering the New England states and all the way down to Indiana. Eventually all the ice melted and formed rivers and lakes in that area.

What animals are found in this biome?

Some animals found in this biome are deer, gray squirrels, mice, raccoons, salamanders, snakes, robins ,frogs, and many kinds of insects. In the winter, most of these animals migrate to the south.

 

What is the weather and climate like in this biome?

Deciduous forests have a moderate climate. They have four seasons, summer, spring, fall, and winter. They have 4-6 months of summer. They get 75-150 centimeters of rain per year.

 

What plant communities dominate this biome?

There are many trees in deciduous forests. Some of them are oaks, maples, beeches, hickories, and ashes. There are also many wild flowers such as bluebells, primrose, and oxlip.

 

References

Hora, Dr. Bayard, The Marshall Cavandish Illustrated Book of Trees and Forests of the World, New York: Equinox (Oxford) Ltd.1990

Biome Key
Animals of the
Temperate Decidous Forests