Final answer:
Deer Mice, Meadow Voles, and Short-tailed Shrews likely find winter refuge in areas with ground cover like forests with leaf litter or regions with heavy snowfall that acts as insulation. Their adaptations, such as coloration, aid in survival, while food availability, like acorns, impacts their populations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Small mammals like Deer Mice, Meadow Voles, and Short-tailed Shrews in winter are likely to be found in environments where they can find shelter from the cold. These animals often reside in areas with adequate ground cover, such as forests with a dense layer of leaf litter, scrublands with shrubs and small trees like scrub oak and pine, or regions with heavy snowfall that insulates the ground, such as temperate-climate regions or places with coniferous trees like cedar, spruce, pine, and fir. Snow acts as a protective layer that prevents ice from the ground, which is vital for mammals that live beneath the snow's surface.
The adaptations of these animals to their environments help them survive. For instance, the Deer Mouse is well adapted to life in the forest with dark coloring that helps it hide from predators. Similarly, their counterparts in sandy areas may have lighter coloring due to natural selection. The availability of plant material, such as acorns, can influence their populations, as seen with mild winters causing increases in available food sources and subsequent changes in rodent populations.