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Animal kingdom has no problem coping with cold

By: Jessica Hassard

Posted: 01/15/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

Ginger (left) and Deedee (right) remain playful despite the cold weather. The horses can tolerate the extreme cold, though they spend the night warm indoors. (MARK REIMER/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS )

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Bald Eagle. (MARK REIMER / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

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THE desolate winter landscape might seem a barren place, but underneath the eaves and the snowpack, plenty of creatures are enjoying the deep-freeze.

"Small mammals like voles, deer mice and shrews do very well in a nice, snowy winter," said Prof. Craig Willis of the University of Winnipeg biology department.

It's warmer under the snow, and many critters will develop a thicker coat. But other adaptations, like shrinking body mass, make surviving the winter less work.

Chickadees and house sparrows are two species of birds that stick out the Manitoba cold. House sparrows will puff themselves up, creating air pockets that store heat inside. "Feathers are fantastic insulation," Willis said.

However, even birds are susceptible to the cold.

"Feet can freeze really easily," he said.

Many creatures are just better conditioned to the big chill. The temperature of a dog's or wolf's pads can dip to zero degrees while blood is shunted away from the extremities, and animals spend a fair amount of time shivering to create heat.

Assiniboine Park zoo curator Dr. Bob Wrigley said some creatures, like bears, naturally sleep through the frozen months. Although they don't actually hibernate, bears enter a state called torpor. A bear will reduce its heart rate and halve its oxygen intake, while maintaining a totally active brain. This winter sleep can last up to seven months, according to the bear facts on the zoo's website.

Because of Winnipeg's chilly climate, the zoo specializes in cold-hardy animals such as the Arctic fox.

"They don't even start to shiver until -70," Wrigley said.

During the winter, Arctic foxes grow a thick, long white coat that camouflages them in their snowy environment.

Woodland caribou also grow a thick coat and their hooves get long and broad with sharp points to dig into the hardened snow. But there are some unexpected animals out having fun.

Lion-tailed monkeys are known to venture out for up to 20 minutes on wind-free sunny days, with temperatures hovering between -10 to -15 C.

Cold comfort for Fido

WHEN the temperatures plunge, remember Fido might need some attention, too.

Here are some Winnipeg Humane Society tips on how to keep your pooch safe from the elements:

Short-haired dogs and small canines need jackets, boots and shorter walks to avoid frostbite. But when wind-chill warnings are out, it's best your small dog stays in, except for short bathroom breaks.

Medium-sized and larger dogs can handle the cold a little better, but watch out for frostbite on paws and ears. Trimming hair between and around the pads of your dog's paws will prevent ice from getting stuck, and a little Vaseline or oil will help stop pads from cracking. Keep walks short, and don't forget to wipe off salt or sand that might irritate your pet's skin

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 15, 2009 B1

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