We often think that winter is the worst time to go out and look for wildlife. Everything is hidden, hibernating and waiting for spring, right?
Not entirely. Over thousands of years, animals have adapted to the ever-changing weather in Britain, and some of them stay out and about, changing their diet and trusting their fur or feathers to carry them through into the sunnier spring days. Who are these brave animals?
For example, have you ever heard about the ptarmigan? Seen in the Scottish Highlands, during winter this bird changes its plumage to white, except around the eyes and tail. It can make its own burrows by flying into a snow pile and kicking out its feet to disguise itself in the snow bunker.
Another survivor is the butterfly. While people might call their behaviour hibernation, some butterflies actually slow down their metabolism to conserve their energy, a process called torpor. They are also able to produce chemicals which prevent their internal fluids from freezing. Who knew butterflies could make their own antifreeze?!
Find many more facts like these in this Countryfile article, or lead your own research project to learn about these amazing British animals! While Arctic animals can capture our imagination of rugged, far-away landscapes, an understanding and experience of our own climate might help us relate to the many strategies animals use to survive winter in Britain.