How Do Animals Survive Freezing Winters? | How Nature Works | BBC Earth

Summary

In the rain coast forest, a mother bear leads her cubs to a den for a 5-month hibernation, while wood frogs and painted turtles freeze, awaiting spring. Small mammals and birds brave the cold in search of food, and a wolverine travels up to 30 kilometers daily for sustenance. The largest land mammal in North America, the moose, with its long legs and hollow fur, can survive the harsh winter by browsing on twigs and bark. However, white-tailed deer, adapted to warmer climates, struggle with the cold and snow, with many not surviving the season, providing a vital food source for scavengers.

Takeaways

• 🐻 Bears hibernate in dens after feasting on salmon to survive the winter.
• 🧊 Wood frogs survive freezing temperatures with antifreeze in their blood.
• 🐢 Painted turtles hatch and then freeze in their nests, waiting for spring.
• 🌲 The forest's seasonal life is suspended, with some animals seeking shelter from the cold.
• 🐾 Small mammals and birds venture out in search of food despite the cold.
• 🐾 Wolverines, with their frost-resistant fur, search for food, traveling long distances daily.
• 🦌 Moose are the largest land mammals in North America, adapted to deep snow with long legs and hollow fur for insulation.
• 🌳 Moose can survive winter by eating barren twigs and bark.
• 🦌 White-tailed deer, adapted to warmer climates, struggle in the cold and snow, with many not surviving the winter.
• 🌲 Conifer trees provide a more hospitable environment for some animals with shallower snow and warmer air.
• 🦅 Animals that do not survive the winter serve as a vital food source for scavengers.

Q & A

What triggers the mother bear to lead her cubs to a den?

Snowfall in the rain coast triggers the mother bear to lead her cubs to the safety of a den for survival.

What do the bears rely on to survive during their 5-month stay in the den?

The bears rely on the salmon they have consumed to plump up, which provides them with the necessary sustenance to survive for the next 5 months.

How do wood frogs survive freezing temperatures?

Wood frogs survive freezing temperatures by freezing solid, with an antifreeze in their blood that keeps them alive.

What happens to the painted turtles after they hatch?

The painted turtles hatch but then freeze in their nests until food becomes available with the arrival of spring.

How does the seasonal forest appear during winter?

The seasonal forest appears to be in suspended animation, with most life seemingly at rest.

What adaptation allows small mammals and birds to venture into the cold to search for food?

Small mammals and birds have oily fur that is resistant to frost, allowing them to search for food in the cold.

What is unique about the wolverine's fur that aids in its survival?

The wolverine's fur is oily and resistant to frost, which helps it to survive in the harsh winter conditions.

Why is the moose considered the largest land mammal in North America?

The moose is considered the largest land mammal in North America due to its size, weighing half a ton and standing up to 2 and 1/2 meters tall.

How are moose adapted to walk through deep snow?

Moose have long legs that are perfectly adapted to walk through deep snow.

What provides extra insulation for the moose during winter?

Moose have thick fur made of hollow hairs, which provides extra insulation during winter.

How do white-tailed deer differ from moose in their adaptation to winter conditions?

White-tailed deer are adapted to life in warmer climates and have a more difficult time surviving in the cold. They have small bodies that feel the cold more intensely and short legs that make walking in snow treacherous.

What advantage do conifer trees provide for animals during winter?

Conifer trees provide a canopy that helps to keep the air a few degrees warmer, offering some protection from the harsh winter conditions.

What role do dead animals play in the ecosystem during winter?

Dead animals provide a crucial source of food for scavengers during the winter months.