As temperatures drop in colder regions, the flora and fauna found there begin to change. A look at animals and plants that do not lose the battle of their lives despite lack of food.
Frozen forest
In severe cold, trees stop growing and become inactive to store energy. Groundwater shortages due to frozen ice can be a major problem. For example, pine trees form a waxy layer around their leaves so that their inner water is not lost through the leaves.
Leaf-dropping trees
The so-called Berg Reese trees fight off the cold by dropping their leaves. Otherwise, the water in their trunks will run out and they will die. Some trees release light water from their cells to protect themselves from freezing in extreme cold. Similarly, some trees produce more sugar in winter to increase their resistance to cold.
Food storage
Severe winter conditions also affect animals. Not only is the dose reduced, but the shorter the day, the longer the search for food. Many animals start storing food before winter. For example, this North American rat-like animal keeps dry food in its burrow, which is enough for several months during the snowy season.
Animals wearing new 'coats'
Some animals struggle with the extra layer of fat and growing fur in winter. This polar fox changes the color of its fur from black to full white in winter. That way she can hunt well in the winter. Its thick skin also protects it from extreme cold.
Long winter sleep
Mammals, such as marmots, cope with severe winters with long sleep. They choose a safe bill or place and go to deep sleep. During this time, their heart rate, body temperature, and respiratory rate drop dramatically to preserve energy. Bears can sleep like this, but their body temperature stays the same because their thick fur protects them from the cold.
Cold War
The bear's thick fur keeps him warm, but how do such insects save their lives? Most of their bodies are made up of water, so freezing is essential for their survival. Some of these insects produce antifreeze, which prevents ice crystals from freezing on their cells. One such worm is the fire-colored beetle, which can survive at minus 30 degrees Celsius.
Metabolic switch
Turtles can spend the winter at the bottom of a pond, even if the surface of the pond is frozen. These turtles reduce their metabolic rate by up to 90%, meaning they can survive almost without food. They usually come out of the water to collect oxygen, but in winter they begin to absorb oxygen from the water through the outer surface of their body without using their lungs.
0 Comments