Life Under the Snow
The subnivean zone has a lot to offer. It protects those small mammals from the cold temperatures, bitter winds and many of the hungry predators. It takes only six inches of snow for a sturdy roof and ample living space to be formed.
Many animals like mice and voles depend on this habitat under the snow for winter survival. They eat plants, seeds and bark from shrubs. They also store up small amounts of food to make sure there is always something to eat. They can be active all winter, but they may also huddle together in a deep sleep.
They have a series of tunnels under the snow to make travel easier. Those tunnels are highways between their sleeping quarters to my bird feeder and caches of food they gathered in the Fall. Of course, those holes also act as ventilation shafts between their home and their food supplies.
There is more life around you than you can see.