Some Animals Migrate

Some animals migrate before winter begins. That means these animals travel to other places where the weather is warmer and where the animals can find food.

Some Animals Adapt

Some animals adapt to the winter season. They stay active during this season and must adapt to the changing weather. Many make changes in their behavior or bodies. To keep warm, animals may have grown new, thicker fur earlier in the fall. They may have eaten more to get fat which will give them energy and help them during winter. In the fall, the animals were busy storing food, making nests or finding good places for shelter for the colder winter season ahead. In the winter, they may have to look for more food and will leave their tracks in the snow.

Click here to learn how to find animal tracks.

Click here for an online game about animal adaptation.

Some Animals Hibernate

Hibernation is a very deep sleep that some animals have during the cold winter months. The animal's body temperature drops, and its heartbeat and breathing slow down. It uses very little energy. In the fall, these animals get ready for winter by eating extra food and storing it as body fat. They use this fat for energy while hibernating. Some also store food like nuts or acorns to eat later in the winter.

Click here to research the animals of The Mitten, by Jan Brett.