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Plants and Animals Facing Winter
Looking outside in winter, it’s hard to imagine where all the animals of summer have gone. Some can still be seen. Others fly south for the winter. Still others hunker down and wait it out, out of sight and out of mind. What do animals and plants do in the cold and how do they make it through the winter season? Let’s explore some of the amazing ways animals deal with snow, ice, and cold.
Mammals Facing Winter
Some mammals, like the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) remain active all winter. Their heavy fur and fat reserves allow them to survive even the roughest conditions.
Some mammals, like tree squirrels, remain generally active, but can experience torpor if the weather turns very cold.
Photo © L.L. Master, Mammal Images Library of the American Society of Mammalogists
Winter survival specialists, like the American beaver (Castor canadensis) build lodges for shelter and store their own food for the long winter months. Their thick fur and fat reserves are great adaptations to deal with the potential extreme winter conditions.
Photo © P. Myers, Mammal Images Library of the American Society of Mammalogists
Smaller mammal species, like moles, voles, shrews and mice may create elaborate systems under the fallen snow.
Birds Facing Winter
Permanent Residents
Numerous Illinois bird species are permanent residents. They can find adequate food and shelter and are able to withstand cold temperatures.
Seemingly Permanent
Some bird species seem to stay all winter, but they may move into Illinois from the north depending on winter weather conditions elsewhere. Some of these species that are local birds may move out of the state to areas south.
Winter Species
Photos © Mary Kay Rubey
Some species are much more likely to be seen in winter. They generally nest north of the state.
Fishes Facing Winter
Photos © Engbretson Underwater Photography
Fish tend to be less active in cold water. Their metabolism slows as water temperatures drop. Fish species may seek deeper water where the water temperatures are warmer. In this resting state, fishes’ hearts slow down, their need for food and oxygen decreases and they don’t move about as much.
Plants Facing Winter
When the days get colder and daylight decreases, some plant go into a state of dormancy. This is where they “harden off” by pulling water back into their roots. They start reducing or inhibiting their growth.
Other plants die off and drop their seeds. These seeds will grow in the spring and starting the next generation.
Deciduous trees create a chemical or stress hormone called abscisic acid. It works like anti-freeze to help them conserve energy in lower temperatures.
Other plants like evergreens slow their growth down or stop growing altogether. They wait for the temperatures to increase to start growing again. Their needle-like leaves are tough and waxy, which makes them more resistant to the cold.