Fall is here and wild animals are prepping for the winter. Some species migrate to warmer places, and not just birds. Monarch butterflies, dragonflies and even some mammals migrate south in the fall. Other species grow thick winter coats to stay warm. In the case of the artic fox, snowshoe hare and short-tailed weasel, those coats are as white as snow for winter camoflauge. Storing food is another strategy. Squirrels and some birds hide nuts and seeds in the fall to sustain them all winter long, while animals that hibernate or go dormant – think bears, groundhogs and turtles – store their food as body fat and live off it ‘til spring.
Viewer Tip: Fall is also a peak time for vehicle-widlife collisions. Wildlife are active at this time of year and more commuters are traveling after dark. Keep these tips in mind to keep you – and your local wildlife – safe.
- Many vehicle-wildlife collisions occur on two-lane highways bordered by natural habitat. Slow down and keep watch in these areas, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Don’t toss your trash out the window. Not only is litter an eyesore, but it can also attract wildlife to roadways and cause collisions.
- If you see an animal crossing the road, slow down. Where there is one animal, there are likely others.
Related Video: Download b-roll video and a script from the National Wildlife Federation to accompany this tip at http://www.earthgauge.net/resources/public-video#20
Season: Fall
(Sources: National Wildlife Federation, www.nwf.org; Humane Society of the United States. “The HSUS Reminds Drivers to Slow Down, Watch for Wildlife on Roads.” www.hsus.org)
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