Urban Wildlife in Winter

A drop in the temperature in the last quarter of the year signals the onset of winter in most parts of the world. In a subcontinent as climatically varied as ours, the seasonal effects are seen from heavy snowfall in the northernmost parts to downpours in the south. The chilly evenings do more than just call for a hot cup of tea; even the animals around us respond to these changes in their own magnificent ways.

Have you ever seen birds soaring through the sky in a noise “V” formation? This tells us that they are on their way in their seasonal movement known as migration. This may be caused by a change in the climate, the onset of the breeding season, or a change in the local availability of food. Birds, insectivorous bats, fish, and some mammals like elks migrate to places where the weather is warmer or where food is more abundant. This phenomenon is still under study by scientists since it’s still unknown how birds know where to migrate to each year. Flocks of birds migrate in fall as they soar through the sky in a formation that ensures that they don’t lose their way. Birds migrate with the help of the sun and the stars, just like sailors do, and also have an innate understanding of the Earth’s magnetic field. Increased artificial lighting and high-rise buildings thereby pose a threat to their migratory abilities and are growing to be a significant issue warranting intervention today in cities. Even fish migrate during the breeding season and seek warmer waters. Migratory animals return once spring sets in, ushering in a warmer climate. 

A crow covers its feet with body feathers

Although more common among animals that live deep in the woods, even some urban wildlife hibernate during winter in the colder places on Earth. Although bears are perhaps best known for remaining inactive through the winter season, urban wildlife such as wood frogs, snails, snakes, bumblebees, and insectivorous bats hibernate for varying periods of time depending on their location and the duration of the availability of daylight. As food becomes scarce and colder temperatures require increased effort to stay active, animals that hibernate slow down their heartbeat and neurological activity. They are lulled into a nearly sleep-like state in their burrows where they remain during the hibernation period, requiring very little sustenance when compared to their requirements when active.

There may be species variations with regard to winter activities. Ground squirrels hibernate deep in their burrows, for instance, and they are the only type of squirrel to hibernate during winter. However, the Indian palm squirrel or the three-striped palm squirrel commonly found in our subcontinent does not hibernate during winter, simply reducing its activity level in the cold months instead. Thus, although both are warm-blooded animals, they have different ways of surviving the winter months with varying levels of dormancy. The occurrence of these animals in different parts of the world and their seasonal behaviour may be linked. For instance, fruit bats that are commonly found in tropical regions of the world don’t hibernate or go into dormancy as insectivorous bats do, probably due to the relatively less harsh winters that they find themselves living in.

Brumation is found in cold-blooded animals such as snakes. It is akin to hibernation as seen in warm-blooded animals, also involving a reduced activity level with occasional stirring for water. They can go months without food and come out of this dormant state once the temperature reaches a peak again. Interestingly, they may also undergo brumation to survive the hottest months in arid regions which reptiles are known to prefer as their habitat.

Adaptation is another way in which animals survive the winter months. Some animals such as the white-tailed deer grow new coats with longer fur that keeps them warm while allowing them to stay active. Some birds fluff their feathers to keep them warm and increase their feeding quantities so they have an abundance of energy and fat as insulation. Some animals found in hilly areas such as rabbits and foxes grow a new coat of a different colour that helps them blend in with their snowy surroundings. An excellent example of an animal’s capability to adapt is that of the macaque. These primates are found in a variety of habitats in several regions of Asia, such as the tropical and subtropical parts of India as well as the icy cold regions of Japan. They have no problems bearing the heat or withstanding the cold.

A commonly seen habit is an increase in the intake of food in the cooler months among animals that adapt to winter. This has been observed in Spotted Deer as they grow more active by foraging in the early morning and late afternoon.

India’s winters are climatically varied due to the country’s vast geographical landscape, but an overall drop in the temperature affects us all, regardless of species. Animals kept captive require additional aid to survive these months as they may not have the natural advantages that are available to animals in the wild. The National Zoo in Delhi, for example, helps make winter easier for its animals by varying and increasing the feed, or by enhancing their enclosures by scattering dry paddy to provide more warmth.

Living near animals in our cities provides an excellent opportunity to observe how they channel their natural instincts to beat the cold. While winter conditions vary across the world with different degrees of intensity, the animals in our vicinity here in the cities of India have adapted to our seasonal variations in their own unique ways. When the next winter season comes around and the chilly air sets in, you can look at the world around you to see how nature makes the most of its surroundings and instincts to thrive in even the harshest conditions.