Animal Babies Braving the Cold

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Image: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Thick fur, deep tunnels, hibernation or behavioural changes – animal strategies for dealing with freezing temperatures are as varied as the species that employ them. But what about the smallest of the lot; how do they deal with the cold? We’ve taken a look…

All animals pictured here are warm-blooded or homeothermic animals, meaning they have to keep their body temperature constant regardless of weather conditions. Sound familiar? Yes, humans are also warm-blooded, er, animals that need to don scarves, hats and gloves to maintain their body temperature of roughly 37 degrees.

Not fair, all for the birds! Baby deer and mother at the bird feeder:
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Image: Christina T.

Psst, Mama, it’s cold, let’s go inside:
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Image via Just Being Myself

Hungry and cold, these penguins were all huddled at one side:
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Image: fallwithme

Close-up of a baby gentoo penguin snuggling up to its Daddy:
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Image: Chadica

These prairie dogs take no chances and have bundled up in a thick blanket:
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Image: y_katsuuu

A hamster curling up to stay warm:
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Image: annia316

Hello, world! Eastern grey squirrel looking out of its snow tunnel:
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Image: Sabisteb

This wombat doesn’t seem so sure what to make of the snow:
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Image: Fir0002

I’m gonna fluff myself up and stay all warm!
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Image: jsorbieus

Fun in the snow they said and now it’s all sticking to me – grumpy chow chow:
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Image: Epiq

Let sleeping dogs lie, even in the snow:
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Image: Jeffrey Beall

Of course, many animals like polar bears, penguins and huskies thrive in cold climates. Others like bears, dogs, deer and squirrels adapt really well to the cold, making us look enviously at their thick fur. Or give hibernation a second thought.

Sources: 1, 2

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