Animals in Winter

By Noreen McAllister

MigrationMigration

Migration means to move to Migration means to move to warmer places during the cold warmer places during the cold winter months. winter months.

WhalesWhales

• Whales on the west coast of North Whales on the west coast of North America migrate to the warmer America migrate to the warmer waters of Hawaii. They migrate to waters of Hawaii. They migrate to give birth. give birth.

Butterflies and Birds

Butterflies fly from the northern part of North America to the south so they do not freeze.

HibernateHibernate

• Hibernate means to sleep, or rest, during the cold winter months. Animals breathe slowly and their heart rate slows down.

Bats

Bats hibernate in caves and live off the fat that is stored in their bodies.

Animals Store Food

Some animals do not migrate or hibernate. They gather food and store it for the coming winter.

Squirrel

Animals in Snow

Deer dig in snow for dried leaves, plants, and moss. If the snow is too deep, they eat twigs, buds, and tree bark.

Rabbits

Rabbits also hunt under snow for grass and plants. If the snow is too deep, they eat buds and bark from bushes.

Resources:

• Animals in Winter by Henrietta Bancroft & Richard G. Van Gelder

• Pictures through Clip Art