As we have seen the changes that happened during the semester are very visible. As the nature awakes from winter season the changes occur not just with climate but also with flora and fauna.
Because of the obvious differences of season times, the changes that occur in the transitional period (from winter hibernation to summer) can be easily watched and registered.
As we have started our observations in February, we already have been able to see the weather and nature changes. As the temperature increased, the snow melted and the flora awaked from hibernation. Even so that the soil was yellowish and there was no grass the trees began to change. The buds on the trees were getting bigger, and their dark color was a confirmation of metabolism that started when temperature became stable above freezing. As it was noticed this process of preparation lasted for a month and only in early March obvious changes began to occur. The explanation is not just the increased temperature but sunny and longer days. As it’s known the sun light is essential for growth because it stimulates the process of photosynthesis in plants that is essential for growth. These changes also promoted changes in the wild life. With the warmer days not only green grass and leaves began to appear but also animals and insects as well.


As we see the connection of all the species in the wild nature stimulates and makes to awake one another. With getting warm as the flora began to awake and the increase of sun light the insects began to appear because they depend upon flora in their nutrition habits, that stimulated the activity of bigger animals from frogs and other amphibians to different mammals as squirrels, mice and raccoons.
Moreover as the weather became warmer and stable the local nature surrounding enriched by some migrating species as turkey vultures, European starlings and others.
Nature also amazes us not only the variety of species but also by their particularities and abilities to somehow adopt to the environmental conditions, not mentioning the hibernation. Vine plants as ivy use other trees to climb and get the lack of sunlight and use trees as the sources of their nutrition, other plants have different types of leaves and structure, that helps then to adopt to the lack of sun and to be protected from animals by some kinds of thorns. Living creatures use mimicry to survive in the environment. Basically it’s the color of the body and ability to pour in the surrounding to be invisible for predators, some of mammals do change the color of their fur depending to the time of the year. To add, some species have anatomical particularities that help them in hunting. For example frog has sticky tongue, which it uses in hunting the mosquitoes and other insects or squirrels that eat mostly vegetative food, have strong and big teeth for breaking nuts.
As we have observed the variety of biological species in the natural environment, I’ve chosen one which is well know and is widely spread in the USA: it’s a raccoon. Raccoons inhabit the most part of the North American continent from central Canada to the south of Mexico.
It’s a medium-sized carnivore with clear black and white facial mask, also known for black and yellow-gray rings over his tail. Its close relative from domestic animals is a dog. Raccoon’s average weight is about 10 to 30 pounds.
Raccoons are the inhabitants of wetland areas, where they hunt for aquatic animals like fish, crayfish and freshwater mussels. It’s not that often happens to see raccoon in the areas that are far away form the water sources. Because they are nocturnal animals it’s not so easy to notice them at day time. Raccoons make wholes where they hide from the unfavorable weather conditions, but in winter time they don’t go into hibernation. Active during the whole year, they become inactive and sometimes dormant only in the northern cold territories of their Arial. They also make dens on the trees, and it’s the place where female often lives with young.
Raccoons are considered to be one of the most successful animals to adopt to urban conditions of life. They use canalization and city drain system to move unnoticed in the city and “hunt” on the garbage left outside. It often happens that they even use drain system as den places.
Raccoon’s nutrition consists not only of small water animals, but also of seeds, fruits, insects and crops. In rural areas they give damage to farming, especially to corn fields.
Raccoon’s sensitive paws make them a big favor in searching for food. As its well known among biologists, raccoons have a very developed feeling of “touch”. This sense is even higher when raccoon’s paws are wet. This may be the explanation of why raccoons often wet their fingers in the water. This habit of raccoons gave a soil for the belief that raccoons wash their food in the water before eating, but in reality they make it wet in order to have a better sense of what they are going to eat, because water makes their tactile abilities stronger.
Raccoons like to wade in the water, but they always try to keep their tail and back dry. They are not quick swimmers. They also are able to stand on the two hint feet. Slow in common life, they are still able to bound with a speed of 15 miles per hour on short distances, when chased by enemies.
Raccoon females are sexually mature at the age on nine month, while the males reach it when they are about two years old. The young usually appear in late spring and often there are 3-5 in a litter, it seldom happens to be more than six. The gestation period lasts approximately 60-65 days.
The usual life span lasts about 9-12 years, but some lived up to 17 years in captivity.

Custom essay writing services ESSAY-911.com. Buy essays online!