Temperature:
In a taiga, the average temperature is below freezing for six months out of the year. The winter temperature range is -65° F to 30° F. The winters are really cold, with lots of snow. A summer in the taiga can be as high as 70° F, however, it is rare that the temperature ever exceeds it. The summers are mostly warm, rainy and humid. They are also very short with about 50 to 100 frost free days. The total precipitation in a year is 30 - 85 cm. Most of the precipitation in the taiga falls as rain in the summer.
In a taiga, the average temperature is below freezing for six months out of the year. The winter temperature range is -65° F to 30° F. The winters are really cold, with lots of snow. A summer in the taiga can be as high as 70° F, however, it is rare that the temperature ever exceeds it. The summers are mostly warm, rainy and humid. They are also very short with about 50 to 100 frost free days. The total precipitation in a year is 30 - 85 cm. Most of the precipitation in the taiga falls as rain in the summer.
Animals:
The cold climate of the taiga prevents many animals from living there yearly. Most animals are not suited to the cold climate and migrate to warmer biomes once the cold weather begins. Like animals in every biome, animals in a taiga have to be able to adapt to the cold climate. They need to have special adaptations to help them survive. For example, some animals have adapted to life in the taiga by hibernating when temperatures drop. Other animals have adapted to the extreme cold temperatures by producing a layer of feathers or fur to protect them. Some examples of animals that live in the taiga are American black bears, wolverines, bobcats, grizzly bears, river otters, Canadian lynxes and snowshoe rabbits.
The cold climate of the taiga prevents many animals from living there yearly. Most animals are not suited to the cold climate and migrate to warmer biomes once the cold weather begins. Like animals in every biome, animals in a taiga have to be able to adapt to the cold climate. They need to have special adaptations to help them survive. For example, some animals have adapted to life in the taiga by hibernating when temperatures drop. Other animals have adapted to the extreme cold temperatures by producing a layer of feathers or fur to protect them. Some examples of animals that live in the taiga are American black bears, wolverines, bobcats, grizzly bears, river otters, Canadian lynxes and snowshoe rabbits.
Plants:
Because the climate of the taiga is very cold, there is not a large variety of plant life. The taiga soil does not contain many nutrients, and the sun usually remains low in the sky. Both these factors limit the amount of energy available to the plants in the taiga. Some examples of plants that one can find in a taiga are the Balsam Fir, Black Spruce, Paper Birch, White Poplar, and the Conifer trees.
Because the climate of the taiga is very cold, there is not a large variety of plant life. The taiga soil does not contain many nutrients, and the sun usually remains low in the sky. Both these factors limit the amount of energy available to the plants in the taiga. Some examples of plants that one can find in a taiga are the Balsam Fir, Black Spruce, Paper Birch, White Poplar, and the Conifer trees.
Taiga Facts:
- Fires are very common in the taiga biome, which are necessary to help rid the area of old and sick trees.
- There is not much variety in plants. Majority of the plants are conifer trees which is why the taiga is referred to as the coniferous forest.
- Although two major cities, Toronto and Moscow, are located in the taiga biome, most of this biome is uninhabited by people.
- Plants can only grow during the summer when temperatures are favorable. This growing season only lasts about three months.
- Scientists believe that the taiga biome was completely covered by glaciers many years ago.
- The taiga forests are endangered due to logging and mining by humans.
- The temperature change in the taiga is extreme. It is either super hot or super cold. The spring and fall are too short to notice.