Baby its COLD outside!

 

Baby its COLD outside

How do the native neighbors, the wild animals we humans cohabitate with, stay warm? Heat is one of the seven components any habitat must provide to ensure survival. For endotherms (mammals and birds) heat is created internally and preserved by the integument (aka fur and feathers). Because humans do not enter states of brumation, aestivation, torpor or hibernation nor do we possess a naturally grown fur coat; we must use the finite supply of fossil fuels available such as natural gas, wood, coal, and/or oil. We utilize houses made of wood, nails, concrete, etcetera to make sure the elements do not affect our well-being. The wild animals call their shelters different names such as dens, burrows, and hibernaculums.

The wild animals cohabitating with us - the native neighbors, use shelter both natural and artificial. Trees offer internal cavities when both upright and fallen. Bird and Bat houses provide escape from sun and wind. Some animals use caves, or ground burrows and for some the only thing stopping them from certain death during long cold winter is a pile of fallen leaves. G. Pinchot states an obvious fact that has become overlooked. The forest is not merely a collection of trees.

To be scientific in the most simplistic way for just a brief moment, heat is in essence a byproduct of energy which has been acquired by consumption of food. All living beings need a food source. There must be producers and consumers. The food chain is the relationship of which organism eats what organism and who eats them. The reality of nature is there is no such thing as a bad animal. To survive one must eat or be eaten.  

If food provides the means to stay warm internally, how does the animal maintain that heat? Mammals have fur coats. Hair and fur is the same thing in the name but microscopically there are differences between species. A hair strand has layers; one factor contributed is the determination of coloration. Habitat conditions determine the special adaptions each animal will have. A few examples would be long guard hairs, thick deep undercoat, and special vibrissae.    The purpose of any pelt is to disallow dirt and water to settle onto the skin. When this happens the principle of the perfect seal of air is broken and conditions such as hypothermia (the extreme reduction of core body temperature) will arise. Some animals have hair which is hollow. These animals are the coat of the deer and the quill of the porcupine. The hollow hair traps air which forms an air pocket of body heat. The exception is bats who during hibernation allow their body temperature to drop to that of their environment!  

Just like mammals, birds must have some means to protect their skin. They do not have fur they have feathers. The structure of a feather under the microscope shows the barbules interlocking together and the hollow shaft. There are many ‘categories’ of feathers, plume, semiplume, down, and so forth but basically there are three types of feathers: down, contour and flight. Down feathers are the fluffy feathers located close to the body which help insulate the bird and keep it warm. They are located beneath the contour feathers. These are the external feathers which provide that sleek streamline shape. They shed the rain water and provide an extra layer of protection from the elements – the exception is owls. They sacrifice the ‘waterproofing’ of feathers in order to fly silently. The contour feathers are stiff, but flexible, strong but lightweight. The specialized feathers with the purpose of getting off the ground, staying in the air as well as landing safely are called flight feathers. Feathers are fascinating. Flight is an amazing. Want to know more? Raptor Freedom Project created a little article about feathers and flight which we have shared onto the American Heritage Wildlife Foundation facebook page.

What about the ectotherms? How do the reptiles such as snakes and turtles and the amphibians such as frogs stay warm? The animals with scales and skin must draw heat from external sources and be able to adapt their body temperature. They conserve their energy by slowing down the metabolisms and limiting movement. Snakes do not hibernate. They simply find a place of shelter and wait for frigid temperatures to pass. Shelter can be a hollow log, a rodent tunnel, or a pile of leaves. Often these burrows will be used year after year. Without shelter survival over winter is not likely. Lizards store much of the energy they need for survival in their tails. Some species who are able to ‘release’ their tail as a defense when predators attack will starve if they cannot regenerate the tail with sufficient stored energy. Turtles will find shelter at the bottom of the pond and settle in. They draw oxygen, as a fish does with gills, through a highly vascularized appendage - their tail! This special adaption is invaluable for survival. Problems may arise if the water freezes solid as this limits the oxygen. Frogs are amazing creations. The native wood frog for example will just stop moving, they appear to be frozen solid. This is because of the high glucose in the internal organs. This glucose provides two life sustaining properties, nourishment and antifreeze.

Can you name all seven components required for survival? Humans and the wild native neighbors alike need heat, shelter, light, water, soil, air and food. Please be kind and respectful of all living beings – the life you save may be your own. Humans are after all just one piece of this intricate puzzle called an ecosystem.

Find out more about your community supported Bonner County located professional wildlife rehabilitation nonprofits American Heritage Wildlife Foundation and Raptor Freedom Project on the web and social media. Call AHWF at 208.266.1488 to find out how you can become part of the team working to keep North Idaho WILD!