To the south, the landscape transitioned into dense taiga forests, offering a stark contrast to the frozen north. These forests were teeming with life and provided a more hospitable environment for the Cimmerians. The taiga was dominated by towering pine, spruce, and fir trees, creating a dense canopy that sheltered the forest floor. The forests were home to deer, elk, boar, and smaller mammals such as rabbits and squirrels. Predators like wolves and bears roamed the taiga, adding to the challenges of survival. Numerous rivers and streams flowed through the forest, fed by melting snow from the northern peaks.