If you've ever hiked through a Maine winter, you’ve likely noticed just how quiet it can be. With fewer birds in the trees, a thick blanket of snow covering the ground, and not a single bug to swat away, it might seem like the world has gone still. But beneath your feet, life is thriving in a hidden world many people don’t even realize exists—the subnivean zone.
The Subnivean Zone
The subnivean zone is the area between the ground and the snowpack where animals and plants live and traverse during the winter. Snow acts as an insulation, keeping this area warmer than the air above, maintaining a temperature of about 32°F, and wildlife and plants take advantage of this. This temperature helps prevent roots of plants from freezing and becoming damaged and creates a protected area for animals to traverse during the harsh winter season.
Who’s there?
Some of the most notable inhabitants of this zone are small mammals like mice, voles, and shrews. They will spend time under the snow, digging tunnels to find and feed on seeds and grasses. You may also find spiders and insects traveling and foraging this area during the winter! These critters aren’t just benefiting from the snowpack as a place to hide from the wind and cold weather. The subnivean zone also provides concealment from predators. However, some hunters, like owls and foxes, have adapted to this challenge. Instead of relying on sight, they use their sharp hearing to detect the slightest movements beneath the snow, allowing them to pinpoint and capture their prey even in the depths of winter.
Another species you might find in this hidden habitat are stoats (ermines). With their small size, slender bodies, and whiskers to help them navigate, stoats have an ideal build for traveling in the tunnels of the subnivean zone. While owls and foxes must hunt from above the snow, stoats can hunt for prey within their own tunnels under the snow!
Signs of Subnivean Activity
When you're outdoors in winter, keep an eye out for signs of subnivean activity happening all around you. The snow may keep small mammals hidden while they are in them but these animals have to get under the snow first so exit and entrance holes to their tunnels are good signs of subnivean activity to be on the lookout for. Tracks that suddenly disappear into the snow are another good sign that there is activity going on beneath you. Sometimes the entrance holes to tunnels get filled in with fresh snow before they are used again but if you can spot tracks heading that way you can be confident that there are tunnels in the area.
See It For Yourself
Want to witness the hidden world beneath the snow? Bundle up and head to Hirundo Wildlife Refuge for a winter adventure! With free snowshoe rentals available, you can explore the snowy trails at your own pace while searching for signs of subnivean life. Look for tiny tracks, tunnel openings, and other clues that reveal the secret activity happening just beneath your feet. Come experience the magic of winter wildlife at Hirundo!
Citations:
Gagne, C. (2021, March 25). Creature feature: The secret world of the Subnivean Zone. Cape Elizabeth Land Trust. https://www.capelandtrust.org/news/creature-feature-the-secret-world-of-the-subnivean-zone/
Evans, A., & Runn, V. (n.d.). Subnivean Zone - Idaho Fish and game. https://idfg.idaho.gov/sites/default/files/wildlife-express-subnivean-224.pdf
Julie Crick, M. S. U. E. (2022, January 21). The Subnivean Zone, life under the snow: Part 2. MSU Extension. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/the_subnivean_zone_life_under_the_snow_part_2
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