![]() If you aren’t going to migrate or hibernate, it’s a real plus if you can “adapt!” long naps and food always within reach? What a life! To warm up enough to move about, they simply shiver a few times to raise their body temperature. During this hibernation, the chipmunk will awaken several times to eat. This little fuzzy charmer fills a special food chamber of its underground burrow with food, then settles in for a long nap. They have expandable cheeks that stretch to carry loads of seeds and nuts. What makes the bear's hibernation so unusual? They don’t drink or urinate all winter long! They survive on their think layer of fat and water they consumed before their nap began.Ĭhipmunks, a type of ground squirrel, have one of the best “packing” methods around. Grizzlies dig a den in the side of a hill, creating a bed of grass and branches. As winter begins, the black bear seeks out a den in hollow trees, under roots or pile of brush. The cranes stop here to rest and replenish their fat reserves so they can complete the migration.Īutumn is the best time of year to view sandhill cranes at Jasper-Pulaski as crane numbers are highest from mid-November to early-December.Īlthough often the first animal that comes to mind when we think of typical hibernation, bears are, (on the contrary,) extremely extraordinary.Īt summer's end, bears begin to gorge on food, eating up to five times their usual amount. ![]() Jasper-Pulaski is in the sandhill’s migratory path, so they congregate there in the thousands to tens-of-thousands during fall and spring migration. Migrating sandhill cranes can be seen throughout the U.S., but right here in Indiana, (Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area in Medaryville) we have one of the top “hot spots” to view them. Standing 3 to 4 feet high with a wingspan of 5 feet (or more), the sandhill crane is an incredible sight to behold. The added benefits? Migrating birds will remember your location as a reliable food source, AND you’ll attract the incoming winter bird species! This is the perfect time to put out extra bird seed and suet. Small birds migrate too and need fuel and fat to handle the trip. Most people notice the geese flying in formation, some will take notice of other waterfowl moving through. An easy way to do that is to attract them with food for their journey south. That also means it’s a great time to check out the migrating birds that we don’t often see. Interested in tracking their progress? See maps and more at /tagmig/index.htmĪs the crisp fall air moves in, many of our summer birds gather into larger flocks and migrate. The monarch migration begins in October each year as all adult monarchs make their way west to California or south to Mexico. The most spectacular long distance migration is that of the Monarch butterfly. what happens when Jack Frost arrives? Many species of butterflies have gone into their own type of hibernation by entering a stage in which they can winter over (egg, pupal or caterpillar.) A few are equipped with a type of antifreeze, so they will find a safe place to hide as it gets colder. leave them there for the wildlife! (Migrating flocks and winter visitors will thank you.) No way to do that in your yard? Just hang a bird feeder filled with black oil sunflower seeds and let the fun begin!!įact: Butterflies are cold-blooded and can't handle the cold temperatures of winter in many areas. Don’t give in to temptation and dead head those flowers that have gone to seed. But wherever you are, it’s fun to see what vacates the area, what travels through and what moves in for winter.Ī great way to see all that is to watch the bird feeders and seed heads in your yard. Autumn varies from region to region, as does the bird migration schedule. THAT’S when we begin to see the changes with birds as well. Sumac and Virginia creeper leaves turn red while walnut leaves turn yellow and fall. Animals that stick around as the cold sweeps in, may live inside trees, under rocks or even underground during the winter months.Īutumn begins to show itself here in Indiana as the purple New England asters and Joe Pye weed bloom. They collect and store nuts, seeds and leaves to eat when those temperatures drop. Some animals like squirrels and mice stock up on food in the fall. Some even change the color of their coat for winter for better camouflage against the snow. Animals with fur (i.e.: rabbit, fox, mink, deer, etc.) grow thicker fur in the winter to keep warmer. ![]() Body temperatures drop and they sleep for months to save energy. Many birds (and even Monarch butterflies,) fly to a warmer place to live as the seasons begins to change.Ī few animals fall into a deep sleep called hibernation during the winter. Here are just a few ways they prepare for winter: What we may not notice is that animals begin to change, too. As the temperatures get cooler here in the northern Midwest, we see the leaves change color and fall to the ground.
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