Hibernation and Migration

The weather gets colder, days get shorter and 

leaves turn color and fall off the trees. Soon, winter is here.  

People live in warm houses and wear heavy coats outside.

 Our food comes from the grocery store. But what about animals?

       Animals do many different, amazing things to get through the winter. Some of them "migrate." This means they travel to other places where the weather is warmer or they can find food. Many birds migrate in the fall. Because the trip can be dangerous, some travel in large flocks. For example, geese fly in noisy, "V"-shaped groups. Other kinds of birds fly alone.

 

We sorted animal cards to see what animals migrate, adapt or hibernate. 

       Many animals migrate including mammals, some bats, caribou and elk, whales that travel in search of food each winter, and many fish. They may swim south, or move into deeper, warmer water. Even some insects migrate. Certain butterflies and moths fly very long distances.  Monarch butterflies spend the summer in Canada and the Northern U.S. They migrate as far south as Mexico for the winter.  

         Some animals remain and stay active in the winter. They must adapt to the changing weather. Many make changes in their behavior or bodies. To keep warm, animals may grow new, thicker fur in the fall. The new fur of weasels and snowshoe rabbits is white to help them hide in the snow.  Food is hard to find in the winter. Some animals, like squirrels, mice and beavers, gather extra food in the fall and store it to eat later. Some, like rabbits and deer, spend winter looking for moss, twigs, bark and leaves to eat.

       Some animals hibernate for part or all of the winter. This is a special, very deep sleep. The animal's body temperature drops, and its heartbeat and breathing slow down. It uses very little energy. In the fall, these animals get ready for winter by eating extra food and storing it as body fat. They use this fat for energy while hibernating. Some also store food like nuts or acorns to eat later in the winter. Bears, skunks, chipmunks, and some bats hibernate.