Seasons and climates

In a country like Canada, seasonal contrasts are evidenced by the extreme variations of the temperatures, while in other places such as the tropics, the seasons are marked by changes in the humidity. Wildlife is influenced by these annual cycles in many ways.

Most animals slow down their activities during wintertime. Insects, reptiles, amphibians go into a long sleep. Many birds fly or migrate southward to warmer climates. Fish slow down their metabolisms in the ice-covered waters of rivers and lakes. Some mammals, like the woodchuck or the bear, find themselves a comfortable den and sleep out the winter or hibernate, after having eaten a lot of food during the autumn season in order to accumulate fat. Others, like the chipmunk and the squirrel, store a supply of food in their nests for the long winter months.

Seasons also influence reproductive habits. Depending on the gestation period of females, the mating period occurs at a time which usually permits a spring or early summer birthing period. The newborn can then take advantage of a warm and plentiful environment during the first, critical months of their lives.

Even if all seems still, winter is a good time to look for different animal tracks in the snow. When you go out for a cross-country skiing or a snow-shoeing excursion in the woods, be on the lookout for tracks. Bring along an identification guide and see if you can recognize the animal. How many fingers can you count? Is it a bird? A mammal? Was it hopping? running? or simply walking? Was it heavy or lightweight?. Tracks can even be found in big city parks. This activity can also be fun during the warmer months along muddy shores of creeks and lakes for example, after animals have gone for a a drink. You can try to follow the tracks, if possible, and silently look out for the animal that made them.

Since the climate is very different from one region to another, many animals have evolved and adapted to life in one particular region. For example, the polar bear is only found in the Arctic. Can you name other animals that live only in the Arctic? Along the seashores? In the mountains? In the prairies? In the cities?