Does this Animal Migrate or Hibernate?
As the gardening season draws to a close, it’s good to be mindful of how our gardens and wild areas are permanent homes to many regional species. Some animals make impressive journeys to warmer territories, while others stick around in our landscapes to brave the elements. Do you know which animals stick around and hibernate, and which ones head south for the winter? Take our quiz to test your knowledge!
Does this animal migrate or hibernate?
Whooping cranes make an impressive annual journey through the Midwest every year as they travel to Texas in the fall and as far north as Canada in the spring.
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Does this animal migrate or hibernate?
Monarchs have some of the most incredibly migratory patterns of any insect! They spend their springs and summers throughout temperate regions of the United States and Canada and migrate towards the West Coast of California and Central Mexico for the winter.
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Does this animal migrate or hibernate?
As amphibians, wood frogs are cold-blooded animals that are incredibly resilient in harsh cold. They overwinter inside logs and leaf piles, sleeping so deeply that their heartbeat and breathing stop during hibernation. When the weather warms up, they “come back to life” as if nothing happened! Just another amazing reason to keep a few leaf piles hidden around your yard in the fall.
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Does this animal migrate or hibernate?
Skunks technically hibernate, but theirs is a light hibernation known as “torpor.” When in torpor, skunks cuddle up with their families to take prolonged naps, waking up occasionally to scavenge for food.
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Does this animal migrate or hibernate?
The smallest birds in the world are not to be underestimated! Hummingbirds fly throughout North America to complete two annual migrations; north through the United States and Canada, and south to Mexico and South America. What’s especially fascinating about the hummingbird’s journey is that, unlike most migratory birds, they travel alone!
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Does this animal migrate or hibernate?
Black bears lose up to a quarter of their body weight during their hibernation period, but they don’t sleep all the way through the winter. While sleeping, bears lower their body temperatures by only a few degrees, enough to stay alert if something threatens the safety of their cubs or if there’s a need to hunt for food.
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Does this animal migrate or hibernate?
The buff-breasted sandpiper was once a very common bird in North America and is now very uncommon due to overhunting in the 1800s and 1900s. These beautiful birds migrate between the pampas of Argentina, all the way up to the Arctic tundra!
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Does this animal migrate or hibernate?
Brown bats have some of the most impressive hibernation habits of any North American mammal. When awake, brown bats have a similar body temperature to human beings, but during hibernation, their temperature can plummet below freezing and they can stop breathing for long periods of time.
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You got {number correct}/{number of questions} correct answers
Sometimes it’s good to find out what you don’t know! Hopefully, this quiz gave you some insight into the amazing habits of our regional wildlife, and why it’s so important to respect the balance of our natural ecosystems.
You got {number correct}/{number of questions} correct answers
You’re very knowledgeable about migratory animals and hibernators, but we did throw a few tough ones in there! Hopefully this quiz has increased your appreciation for the amazing tactics our regional animals use to survive our harsh weather.
You got {number correct}/{number of questions} correct answers
Wow! Are you a biologist? Make sure to share this quiz on social media to help others learn more about our incredible regional animals!