WarmweatherbroughtbyElNiñohashadmixedeffectsonanimalsin...

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Warm weather brought by El Niño has had mixed effects on animals in usually snowy places in North America, including New England, according to an Associated Press article.

Some animals seem to benefit from having a chance to gather more food before winter, and from expending less energy in daily survival mode. Others, like snowshoe hares, are put at center stage in predators’(捕食者) view when they lack snow for disguising their white fur — not a good thing for them, of course.

Black bears, on the other hand, have been keeping busy gathering nuts and apples, when they would normally have settled into their winter homes by now. Vermont and Massachusetts officials have asked residents to wait till snow falls to take out their bird feeders for the sake of safety, the article said.

"We suggest waiting for 6 or more inches of snow that lasts before taking out your bird feeders, especially if you have been visited in the past by bears or if there are sightings of bears in your neighborhood,"Forrest Hammond, Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s bear biologist, said in the article."Due to lack of snow and frozen ground, birds are able to seek food in fields and forests for theirnatural foods."

Snow amounts can also determine how comfortable bears are and how quickly they consume their accumulated fat during hibernation(冬眠), noted Hammond in the article. This is because snow covers and traps them in their winter homes, and also hides them from predators.

28．What may upset snowshoe hares because of El Niño?

r being caught more easily. r failing to gather more food.

r consuming more energy. r losing sight of their enemies.

29．Why did the officials ask people to keep bird feeders until snow falls?

may disturb bears. e’s no need to do so.

avoid attracting bears. the safety of bears.

30．What do the bear biologist’s words imply?

A.A heavy snow is on the way.

s are common nowadays.

s live mainly on birds in winter.

weather benefits birds in winter.

31．Which of the following is the proper title for the passage?