Winter Animal Signs
It is a myth that nature sleeps in the winter. Not only are many animals quite active, but the lack of leaves and presence of snow helps us see many signs the animals have left behind. These signs tell a story of how wildlife can adapt and survive the winter.
How do animals move?
When ground animals move across the snow, they leave behind tracks or foot prints that can help us identify what they are.
-Tracks can be a single impression called a print.
-A series of these prints made by one animal is called a trail.
-An accumulation of many trails form a path.
Other animal signs:
Scat and Pellets- These droppings can be studied to determine what the animal has been eating.
Fur/Feathers- Stuck on branches or found on the ground.
Chew Marks- Indicate that an animal was eating at that spot.
Tunnels/Holes- Show that some animal move under the snow.
Sounds- The still winter air carries animal sounds quite a distance.
Food caches- Shows that some animals stash food for later.
Animal remains- May tell a story of food chains.
Homes- Holes, nests, tree cavities are all signs of animal activities