For cold-blooded animals, say turtles and lizards, winter is survival mode rather than a cozy season. Surprisingly, these creatures don’t give up. They have natural winter survival methods that range from clever to downright bizarre. Here are 12 such animals with such genius tricks.
1. Frogs: Ice-Covered but Not Frozen
Freezing solid and staying alive sounds impossible, but frogs pull it off. Their bodies produce a special substance called antifreeze that keeps their cells safe. They hunker down under leaves, looking like frog popsicles, until the spring thaw wakes them up again.
2. Snakes: Teamwork for Warmth
There are many creatures that enjoy cuddling, not just warm-blooded ones. Dozens of snakes gather in dens during winter and share body heat to stay cozy—their group efforts to get cozy. This scaly sleepover keeps all of them warm enough to make it through the chilly months.
3. Turtles: Breathing Through Their Butts
It is easy for turtles to survive winter under mud. Instead of using their lungs, these reptiles absorb oxygen through their butts. This technique is called the Cloacal respiration. Until spring, they stay still and hidden while breathing like this.
4. Crickets: Surviving Winter in Dormancy
When temperatures drop, crickets go into diapause, retreating to cozy spots like under leaves or in crevices. They conserve energy through dormancy, patiently waiting for the warmer weather to wake them from their long rest.
5. Lizards: Finding the Perfect Hideout
For lizards, cold weather means finding a safe spot to hibernate. The key is getting protection from freezing temperatures, whether under rocks, inside logs, or underground. If a warm spot isn’t available, they can even opt to stay perfectly still.
6. Alligators: Snouts Above the Ice
Alligators have a cool trick for surviving cold weather: they keep their snouts above the ice to breathe while the rest of their bodies stay frozen in place. This lets them enter brumation until spring arrives.
7. Bees: Buzzing in a Ball
Existence depends on teamwork and warmth when it comes to bees. Worker bees form a vibrating ball around the queen to keep the hive toasty. This fuzzy, buzzing heat generator makes sure everyone stays alive until the flowers bloom again.
8. Insects: Supercooling Without Freezing
Insects have a clever drying-out trick to fight off the chills. They remove excess water from their bodies, which avoids freezing. Insects go into this supercooled state so they can endure below-zero temperatures without turning into frozen bugs.
9. Fish: Slowing Down to a Crawl
A fish’s metabolism takes a serious dip in cold water. These underwater creatures hang out near the lake or pond bottom, where it’s slightly warmer. Movement also slows down to almost nothing, which helps them further in conserving energy.
10. Spiders: Cold-Resistant Web Builders
Like frogs, spiders produce a natural antifreeze called glycerol. This substance keeps their bodies from freezing. Some species even continue spinning webs during cold months with glycerol’s help, catching insects like usual.
11. Salamanders: Hiding Deep Underground
As amphibians, salamanders dig into damp, insulated spots below the frost line. Since their body slows way down, it helps them survive for months. Some species can even absorb oxygen through their skin while hibernating—masters of long, underground stays.
12. Butterflies: Hibernating as Pupae
Many butterfly species turn into pupae, wrapped in protective, silky cocoons. It’s their way of going into hibernation. Cocoons become the shield that protects them from the cold. Once spring arrives, they change into butterflies again.
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