Missouri’s animals are adapted for cold weather

Winter is the favorite time of year for many people. Between the holiday festivities, watching snowflakes fall, and toasty evenings by the fireplace, it’s easy to see why many consider winter to be the best time of the year. However, when it comes to our wildlife, this time of year comes with many more challenges. While the cold weather sets in, nature makes preparations to survive the chill.

One of Missouri’s largest mammals, the black bear, begins preparing in the fall. Black bears begin to eat, and eat, and eat, in order to put on a nice, warm layer of fat for winter. Being opportunistic eaters, black bears will eat anything from fruits, berries, and seeds, to insects, plant roots, and the inner bark of trees. They will also occasionally make a meal of other small animals and carrion (dead animals). In addition to keeping the bear warm, this extra layer of fat also gives it the energy reserves it will need for the long months ahead.

In order to stay warm and cozy in the blistery weather, some wildlife, like northern bobwhites, will huddle close together. The covey (group of quails) will hunker down in a circle with their tails in the middle and their beaks pointed out. This way, everybody gets to enjoy the warmth of their body heat, while also keeping an eye out for approaching predators.

While most of our wildlife takes action to stay warm in the chilly months of winter, some of our animals do nothing at all. For example, wood frogs just allow themselves to freeze- literally! When temperatures drop, a wood frog’s heart stops beating, it quits breathing, and it freezes nearly solid. When the weather warms up again, the frog will thaw and hop away completely unharmed.

It’s amazing to see how animals get ready for winter in the woods! To learn more, you can visit Wildlife in Winter | Missouri Department of Conservation or visit Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center. The Center is open Tuesday through Friday 9 AM – 5 PM and Saturday 10 AM – 3 PM. We will be CLOSEING at noon on Tuesday, December 24 and reopen on Thursday, December 26 at 9:00 a.m. You may call us at 417-629-3434 or email Shoal.Creek@mdc.mo.gov.