The Montavus loop (Boucle de Montavus) : snowshoeing in Combloux

3 points of interest

• 

  

  Flora

  What to do if you encounter a wild animal?

  During harsh winters, animals have no other choice than trying their best to survive, one day at a time. Our presence on their territory will obviously disturb them, and even frighten them; so let's try to minimize this disturbance: - Stop and wait quietly until the animal goes away. - Do not shout or make sudden movements which would stress the animal even more. - Do not try to approach it nor follow it.

• 

  

  Fauna

  Winter supplies

  During the dormancy phase, which starts at the end of October, trees slow down their growth until spring arrives. At this point, they begin the process of protecting themselves against frost and cold-hardening, which increases the cold tolerance of their cells and tissues. At the same time, they also maintain all the biological mechanisms they need to survive: cell respiration, root growth, etc. And for those lucky enough to retain their leaves(or needles, as is usually the case in our region), photosynthesis and transpiration. Repair processes are also triggered to prevent the formation of air bubbles in the vessels responsible for transporting the sap from the roots to the crown during the freeze-thaw cycles. From January until March, the trees' sprouts start to grow again.

• 

  

  Fauna

  Hunting techniques of foxes

  The fox can roam up to 12 km around its territory every night: surveying forests, clearings, fields, towns, railroads, pipelines... The fox has a remarkable technique for capturing small rodents. First, the predator locates its prey using its two large ears. The fox stops in place, pinpoints the prey’s exact location by sound, smell and sometimes eyesight. Then it leaps into the air almost 1m above the ground and lands on its prey, pinning it to the ground. Foxes help to maintain a healthy environment by devouring sick animals, removing carrion from the ground and helping farmers by eliminating 5,000 to 10,000 rodents a year.