The leaves or needles of evergreen trees lose less water than other kinds of leaves. This also helps them survive. Some broad-leaved trees like birch and aspen have adapted to the taiga, too. Both trees are very flexible and don't break easily when covered with ice and snow. . There are many animals that make the taiga their home.
Many birds breed in the taiga in the spring and summer.
As the snow melts in the spring, insects lay their eggs in the water. The insects attract a wide variety of species of birds to the taiga like the spruce grouse and mammals like pine marten, moose , wolf, fisher , Canadian lynx , and grizzly bear can be found in the taiga. These mammals all have thick coats that protect them from the cold. Some animals have structural adaptations that help them survive in the taiga. The Canadian lynx's wide paws work like snowshoes.