Temperate rainforests are known for a variety of creatures that depend on wild berries as their main food source.
The temperate rainforest is an environment rich in animal and plant life. They make-up 2-3 percent of rainforests in the world and get 50-60 inches of rainfall per year. The moist conditions and dense forests provide an abundance of food sources, which contribute to large populations of animal species. One of the main foods of the temperate rainforest is berries, which a variety of animals rely on as their main source of food.
Black Bear (Ursus Americanus)
The black bear is found in temperate rainforests, relying on a mainly vegetarian diet, including berries. This species is dark in color, weighing up to 450 pounds and with a maximum running speed of 30 miles per hour. Foraging for wild berries, black bears prefer huckleberries. The peak times of feeding for this bear are directly after it awakes from winter hibernation, needing to replace the sugars and fats it used during the colder months. About 40 percent of the black bear's diet is dependent on berries during the months of August and September, with the bear preferring berries over other food sources.
Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis Cardinalis)
The Northern cardinal settles in the temperate rainforest. The bird is red in color with a point feather crest on the top of its head and a yellowish beak. They are about 8 1/2 inches long and are a pairing bird, preferring to partner up for all of mating season. They generally nest 15 feet above ground in dense shrubbery or trees. They eat insects, wild fruits and berries. They are territorial in their feeding habits, usually guarding berry bushes from other cardinals or birds. They also are active during the winter months.
Blue Grouse (Dendragapus Obscurus)
The blue grouse is found in the temperate rainforest and is 15 to 21 inches long in length. Males are grey in color with a yellow neck sack. Females are spotted brown with a dark tail. During the warmer months, they feed on insects, seeds and berries. They can be found around wild berry bushes and tend to nest near this food source during the summer months. They will leave these areas during winter in search of other food sources. They tend to pair only when mating, with the female spending most of the time guarding the nest and incubating the eggs.
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