Coping With Cold

Sometime between the holiday turkey and decorating trays of cookies, you may entertain fanciful thoughts of sleeping though winter. And when the seasonal chaos and chilly temperatures really set in, the thought of bypassing the whole season becomes even more appealing. That’s when we can learn a thing or two from other mammals as we gear up for frosty temperatures.

Just Leave!

One appealing strategy is catching a flight south. Bats, for example, migrate to warmer climates where they roost in communes in caves. It’s really not much different from “snowbirds” escaping to Florida to roost in condos!

Sound Asleep

If you haven’t noticed any woodchucks recently, there’s a reason. After gorging themselves to put on extra fat, they retreated to a cozy burrow to hibernate. This may sound like the Thanksgiving ritual in your house! The guy with the remote in your living room may seem sound asleep, but compared to a woodchuck, he’s just dozing. Hibernators reduce their metabolism to burn fewer calories. In the case of the woodchuck, its heartbeat and breathing rate drop to one or two times per minute. A tap on its shoulder wouldn’t wake this furry fellow up. The fellow in your living room would probably stir, unless it’s time to do the dishes!

Den Up

Most other mammals may den up several days to several weeks in periods of foul weather. Scientists have observed that some seem to sense oncoming changes and may forage for extra food before a storm. Like humans who rush to the store for milk and eggs, mammals get “groceries” at a variety of locations. Wetlands have bountiful berries. Woodlands have nuts and buds. Backyards have seed-laden feeders. 

Winter Wanderers

Still other mammals stay active, wandering woods and fields during Michiana winters. Rabbits, foxes and deer do not hibernate. Akin to our layering on fleece and sweaters, these animals grow additional fur in fall for insulation.

Opossums, however, have nearly hairless tails and ears. When they venture out on a cold winter night, bits occasionally freeze and fall off. It’s a good reminder: as the thermometer drops, remember your hats and gloves!

Eating is the other part of the survival equation. Food calories fuel their metabolism and keep animals warm. Another piece of pie anyone?

Family Activity

Dress for the Weather Relay

If you are cleaning out closets and getting rid of clothes, save a bagful for a fun relay next time you have company. This game helps younger children think about what clothes are appropriate for winter wear.

At one end of the room, or lawn, pile clothing that might be worn in winter. You can intersperse a few summer clothes, too. Try to include things like socks, mittens, long underwear and boots, anything you might wear outdoors in winter.

Divide the kids (adults are welcome, too) into two relay teams. Runners bring back one item appropriate for a winter wardrobe. As each runner brings clothing, other team members lay out the cold weather outfit. If any runner brings an inappropriate item (a sandal for example), or grabs a duplicate item (a second pair of long underwear), the next runner has to take it back to the pile. See which team gets the most complete outfit in five minutes.

Not enough kids for teams, or want a non-competitive version? Two or three children can work together to select items and lay out an outfit.