By Alisha Brewer
Welcome 2021! Step outside and breathe it in. The air is crisp, cool and feels almost new doesn’t it? But, as I enjoy our winter air my nose starts to get that crinkling feeling when I wiggle it; the wind blows sending a shiver down my spine and the fog from my breath shows that there is no doubt that it’s cold outside! This time of year I’m thankful to have the warmth of my home to retreat to: the snuggly blankets, the fireplace, the hot chocolate (no marshmallows, extra whipped cream). But what about all the wildlife outside? Just how in the world do they stay warm when the temperature drops?
Endotherms, warm blooded animals, are creatures that are able to maintain a constant internal body temperature despite their surrounding environment (mostly mammals-like us and birds). This means that even though it’s 35 degrees outside, our body temperature will not drop. Our bodies are able to regulate and maintain our internal temperature. Go us!
Ectotherms on the other hand, are cold blooded animals. They are creatures that depend on external sources to regulate their body temperature. These guys are reptiles, fish and amphibians. This means that if it’s 35 degrees outside, that animal will need to be very careful. If it is exposed its body temperature will begin to drop and it could be deadly.
Luckily our wildlife have bodies that naturally prepare for winter and have strong internal senses that help tell them that it’s time to hunker down. Some birds will migrate to warmer temperatures, but those that stay have a few tricks up their sleeves…uh, wings. Birds are able to trap air between their downy feathers and their skin. That warm air acts like a…well, a downy coat to help keep them warm. The coyotes, rabbits and bobcats all grow thicker fur. We can see the color difference in the rabbit’s coats when we take walks around the neighborhood, they’re definitely much darker. Javelinas live in family groups and will snuggle close for body warmth. You may also see them out and about more during the day, as they will choose to be active when temperatures are warmer rather than in the evenings and at night.
Reptiles, like our desert tortoises, gila monsters and rattlesnakes will enter a state called brumation, which is similar to hibernation in mammals. In brumation, the reptile will become sluggish and lethargic. They will stop searching for food, stop eating and find an insulated place to stay out of the elements like underground burrows, wood piles and rock crevasses. By essentially shutting down their systems, they don’t have to waste energy on things like trying to stay warm. Brumating reptiles will wake up to hydrate or to sunbathe if the weather is warm enough. They will then retreat back to the safety of their shelter until the weather is favorable again, which could be months! Another astonishing fact is that tortoises, snakes and gila monsters will oftentimes share the same burrow as they pose no initial threat to each other. Can you imagine peacefully sleeping next to a rattlesnake?
For our furry friends closer to home pets are not wildlife. Their bodies do not prepare for the cold winter months the same as their wild counterparts. Wild animals have the entire desert to roam to find a suitable shelter. Outside pets only have the confines of your backyard, so their options are quite limited. Please bring your pet inside overnight, or if you have an outside-only pet, provide adequate shelter for them. The shelter should be insulated and dry, have an overhead cover, protection from wind and drafts, and keep your pet off the ground. Rita Ranch Pet Hospital suggests using blankets and pads to help insulate the shelter. Anyone who sees a pet without adequate shelter should report it to Pima Animal Control’s animal protection dispatch at (520)-724-5900, extension 4. An officer will respond as quickly as they can.
Cold months in Vail are a magical time. The animals have worked hard in the summer and fall to build up their fat reserves to help them survive the cooler temperatures. Fur and feathers are great insulators. Denning, burrowing, rousting and sharing body heat with family members while staying out of the elements are all ways that our wildlife will ride out these months. The frosty chill will soon subside; until then snuggle close with the ones that you love and enjoy the chill in the air. Stay warm and I wish you a very happy new year!
Alisha Brewer is a veteran zoo keeper of nearly 15 years. U of A alum. Boy mom, veggie dog connoisseur, anti Oxford comma and eternal optimist. Alisha hopes to connect residents to the incredible creatures that surround us.
