Snow protects overwintering animals and plants under the snow cover

1. Snow protects overwintering animals and plants under the snow cover - Viinijärvi school, eighth grade

2. Cell liquid of perennial plants concentrates so that the cells do not freeze. • Winter is harsh time for the animals because the coldness, thick snow cover and short days make it difficult for animals life. • Big sized animals bear the coldness of the winter better than the small ones.

3. Mammals and birds prepare for the winter in many ways, for example: • Bear collects fat by eating a lot. • Fox crows a thick winter coat. • Arctic hare changes a white winter coat when the amount of light decreases. • Squirrel gathers food in the stores in the summer. • Moles, mice and shrews stay under the snow.

4. Some animals save energy from further sliding by falling asleep in winter. • To hibernation example. Bear (body temperature +35 ºC) • To hibernation eg hedgehogs (body temperature +2 ºC) • Cold hibernation (body temperature under 0 ºC). These are all cold blooded animals. For example: Snakes • During cold winter nights and heavy frost, animals such as tetraonid birds and Arctic hare may burrow tunnels in snow to take shelter and keep warm.