Why do the crashes in lynx numbers lag behind the crashes in hare numbers? Answer: It takes a while for the lynx to suffer the effects of a reduced food supply. They may find other food sources, but, if not adequate, they will begin to die. Their birthrate will also decline sometime after their food source declines.
Why do lynx numbers smaller than hare numbers?
When hares become scarce, lynx numbers also decline. Their lack of fat reserves makes them less able to live through starvation and cold temperatures.
Why does the hare and lynx population number fluctuate?
When the plants they feed on decline, so too does the hare numbers as they face starvation. The Lynx populations also fluctuate with the Hare population declines, as they are forced to hunt less nutritious species such as mice and carrion. This means that may face starvation or reduced reproduction.
What is the relationship between the lynx and the hare?
The lynx and hare populations have a predator-prey relationship. Disease, food supply and other predators are variables in this complex relationship. The flux in this cyclic relationship is what allows for the ecosystem dynamic to work.
What are the limiting factors for the snowshoe hare and the lynx?
Snowshoe hares across the boreal forest are a key food for many predators and their cycles have been the subject of large-scale field experiments that have pinpointed predation as the key limiting factor causing these fluctuations. Predators kill hares directly and indirectly stress them by unsuccessful pursuits.
Why is the lynx called a specialist?
Why is the lynx called a specialist? They eat many types of food. They only eat one type of food. These animals are called generalists.
What caused the drop in the hare population between 1865 and 1870?
The hare population decreased because more hare were getting eaten by the lynx. What other factors could have caused a decrease in the hare population? The decrease in food, shelter, and space.
Why is there a time delay between the increase in prey and the increase in predators?
As the prey population increases, there is more food for predators. So, after a slight lag, the predator population increases as well.
What happens when the lynx population rises?
The Lynx population also increases because there is more food for them to eat. What does the increase in the lynx population lead to? It leads to a decrease in the hare population because the lynxes were eating the hares. What other factors could have decreased the hare population?
What would happen to the hare population of the lynx become extinct?
Thus, it makes sense that if the lynx population became extinct, the hare population would grow very rapidly and would probably reach its carrying capacity and eventually crash. If the hare population became extinct, the lynx population would most likely become decimated as well.
Which statement about snowshoe hare and lynx populations in boreal Canada is false quizlet?
Which statement about snowshoe hare and lynx populations in boreal Canada is false? Lynx are not the only important predator of snowshoe hares. Lynx and hare populations both oscillate repeatedly, with a similar period. Snowshoe hares rarely deplete their food supply enough to affect their population biology.
How do snowshoe hares change when predators are abundant?
Most parasites and parasitoids spend their entire lives consuming a single individual, whereas herbivores and predators usually eat at least several different individuals. How do snowshoe hares change when predators are abundant? A. They evolve aposematic coloration.
How are snowshoe hares affected by climate change?
Climate factors, such as decreased snow duration and increased temperatures, are known to have increased camouflage mismatch (i.e. an inability to match seasonal coat color molts with the surrounding landscape, see photo), in snowshoe hares leaving them more vulnerable to predation.
Why do snowshoe hares have big feet?
Snowshoe hares have especially large, furry feet that help them to move atop snow in the winter. They also have a snow-white winter coat that turns brown when the snow melts each spring. It takes about ten weeks for the coat to completely change color.
Why is the snowshoe hare important ecosystem?
As one of the dominant herbivores and key prey species within the boreal forest, the snowshoe hare contributes to this ecosystem’s diversity.
Is a jackrabbit a snowshoe hare?
Alberta’s native white-tailed jackrabbit is actually a hare. Go figure. Alberta has three native species of lagomorphs, the scientific order that encompasses rabbits and hares. They are the cottontail rabbit, the snowshoe hare and the aforementioned white-tailed jackrabbit.
Why do snowshoe hares change color?
Snowshoe hares are unique because their fur color changes with the seasons. The length of daylight triggers this change. In the spring, hares begin to shed their white winter coat in favor of the brown colors of summer. In the fall, the hares then shed their brown summer fur in preparation for the winter snow.
Do jack rabbits turn white in winter?
This rabbit is quite large and changes color depending on the seasons. In the summer, White-tailed Jackrabbits are brownish gray on top and whitish below. Their tail is white and they have a little black patch on their ear. In the winter, these rabbits turn white but their black tipped ear remains colored.
Are hares and jackrabbits the same?
Jackrabbits are actually hares, not rabbits. Hares are larger than rabbits, and they typically have taller hind legs and longer ears.
How many babies does a jackrabbit have?
The mother jackrabbit will give birth, usually to two, but sometimes to as many as three or four babies, and she will hide each baby in a separate location.
How do I know if my baby is a jack rabbit?
People who find baby jackrabbits may think they are older than they really are. A newborn to 2 week old jackrabbit resembles the size of a 4 to 6 week old cottontail rabbit which is born with its eyes closed and no fur.
How high can a jack rabbit jump?
The jackrabbit can hop 5′-10′ at a time, and up to 20′ when panicked. They can achieve speeds of up to 40 mph. When at a moderate run, every four to five leaps are exceptionally high to see their surroundings or predators. The jackrabbit runs with its ears flat and tail between its haunches.
How can you tell if a jackrabbit is male or female?
The fur is then parted at the base of the tail to expose the anus. And the genitals in a female the genesee opening is leaf-shaped with a central split and the anus is relatively. Close.
Are boy bunnies mean?
In general, male rabbits are touted as being easier pets for rabbit beginners. They will usually get into less trouble and show fewer aggressive tendencies than female rabbits. This is especially true of rabbits who have been neutered. This doesn’t mean that having a male rabbit will be a walk in the park.
How far can a jack rabbit run?
The black-tailed jackrabbit can run at speeds of up to 30 miles an hour and it can jump a distance of about 20 feet. When it is trying to evade predators like coyotes, foxes, bobcats, badgers and weasels, it moves in a zig-zag pattern.