Hares no longer turning white during winter due to impact of climate change

[Judi Lynn]

Small number of animals no longer develop winter pelt in more southerly populations

Harry Cockburn 4 hours ago



Animals may be losing their ability to display adaptive camouflage because of changing environmental conditions.

Snowshoe hares, ermines, caribou and arctic foxes all change colour from darker to lighter colours during winter, in order to blend into snow-covered landscapes.

With warmer winters come less snow, and it is thought the hares have adjusted their survival techniques in areas that have warmed faster than others.

There is greater change in the winter coats of populations of hares in more southerly areas, according to research published in the Canadian Journal of Zoology,

More:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/horseshoe-hares-turn-white-winter-camouflage-laura-gigliotti-canada-pennsylvania-a8220011.html

[3catwoman3]

1. This is fascinating.

It will no doubt be ignored by those one the right who "don't need no steenkin' science."

[Judi Lynn]

2. They've shot right past the point you would have expected them to wake up, haven't they?

I think they started becoming senile, intellectually, before they ever got out of grade school.

[3catwoman3]

3. Ignorance is bad enough.

Willful ignorance coupled with arrogance is dangerous. Their thinking is ossified and absolutely nothing make a chink.