Do you know what today is? It’s the International Day of Forests! It’s a day to celebrate all the amazing things forests do! They help clean our air and water, prevent flooding, give us lumber and paper, and so much more. This year, we’re taking a look at some of the ways forests (and trees) help animals. What are you waiting for? Grab your hiking boots and let’s get going!
Foxes
What does the fox say? It says “I love trees”, and trees love it right back. When foxes build their dens at the bottom of trees or in old tree trunks, the trees around them actually grow better! That’s because foxes will bring their food back to their den. The parts that they don’t eat get into the soil and make it more nutritious!
Birds
Tweet! Tweet! How many times have you heard that while walking through a forest? Probably a lot. That’s because forests are an awesome place for birds to build their homes. They especially like tall trees. They can build their nests high up in the branches, which protects them against hungry predators on the ground.
Snails
Snails may be one of the smallest animals on this list, but their love for trees is huge! Since they are so small and slow, snails are easy targets for hungry predators. But not when there’s a tree around! They can climb it and hide in holes in the bark. It’s nice and damp in there too, which can help protect them from the heat.
Wasps
Buzzzz! Whoa, where did that wasp come from? Oh, there’s a nest way up in the tree. Did we mention that wasps love forests too? In fact, wasps don’t just build their nests in trees, they build them OUT of trees too. They chew bits of wood, turn it into a kind of paste and use it to make the walls of their nest.
Salamanders
If you’re out in the woods and move a log, don’t be surprised if you find a salamander! That’s because logs help keep the soil cool and moist, two things these amphibians need to survive. Even living trees help salamanders! These little guys hate being in the sun, so forests (and all the shade that comes with them) are a great place for a salamander to call home.
Beavers
TIIIIMBERRRR! Beavers are pretty famous for cutting down trees with their teeth and using them to build dams. The reason they do this is to create a pond of deep water, and that’s where they build their lodge (also out of trees), complete with a secret underwater entrance! This is where beavers go to sleep and hide from predators and bad weather.
Mice
Who would have thought that a tree would be a dream home for a mouse? Some mice love the roots. They can tunnel along them, stash food and build nests for their babies (called pups or pinkies). Other species, like deer mice, are great climbers. Instead of hanging out underground, they climb up the tree and make nests among the branches.
Snakes
Looking for a snake? Try a forest! You might find them hiding under logs where it’s cool and they can snack on insects. Or maybe you’ll find them up in the branches. That’s right! Snakes can climb trees! Blue racers on Pelee Island have been spotted basking in the sun on branches more than 6 feet above the ground!
Bats
Did you know that bats don’t just sleep in caves? They sleep in trees, too! Now, before you go looking, they can be pretty tricky to see. They might hide in a hole or squeeze between the bark and the trunk. Trees are also a perfect place for a hungry bat to get a bite to eat. They are usually crawling with insects, a food bats love!
Squirrels
Squirrels and trees go together like macaroni and cheese! They zoom up and down tree trunks and make daring leaps from branch to branch! It’s also where they sleep. They might set up camp in a hole in the tree or build a drey. Dreys are made of twigs and leaves, and it’s where squirrels can keep warm during the cold winter months. Have you ever seen a big clump of leaves in a tree with bare branches? It might be a drey!
Trees are really important for animals. They give them places to live, building materials, things to eat, and protection from predators. Even planting Just 1 Tree can make a huge difference.
Look for Just 1 Tree in the Mission section in the app!
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