What do animals do in winter?

Winter is a harsh season for humans, who bundle up from head to toe to protect themselves from the cold. It's just as harsh for wildlife.

Most land mammals have evolved to cope with the rigors of winter, surviving the cold, snow and lack of food at this time of year.

Some, like marmots, hibernate, i.e. they plunge into a deep sleep and survive thanks to their fat reserves. To save this important energy resource, they slow down their breathing and heart rate, while lowering their body temperature.

In fact, it's no coincidence that the expression “sleeping like a groundhog” has been adopted to describe deep, prolonged sleep.

But what about other animals in winter? Find out in our next capsules. 

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