Planet earth is known for its own stories in different forms of natural wonders. Just like humans, animals do prepare for the winter months and there are Animal species that migrate to warmer places. Here is the list of 10 amazing Winter Animals in the world,
Winter Animals In The World
1. Arctic fox
The Arctic fox is one of the amazing winter animals that belong to the canine family. As of now, 5 subspecies of arctic foxes are known to humans and can be easily identified in the regions of Iceland, Greenland, Northern Europe, Russia, Canada, and Alaska. The fluffy animal can reach upto 26 inches in length and weighs between 6.5 to 17 pounds.
Talking about the appearance, it has thick white fur during the winter and the skin turns into grey-brownish fur during the summer. There are seasonal variations in the color because that can help him in camouflaging. The avarage lifespan of the Artic fox is 3 to 6 years in the wild.
3. Chipmunk
The chipmunk is a type of ground squirrel that belongs to the squirrel family. It can reach upto 7.2 to 8.5 inches in length and weighs between 1.1 to 1.8 ounces. The largest known chipmunk can grow upto 11 inches in length and weighs upto 4.4 ounces. Talking about its appearance, it has red or grayish-brown fur with light and dark stripes on its back, sides, and head. It is also listed as one of the amazing animal species that starts with C
A there amazing fluffy tail that can reach 3 to 5 inches in length. The is quite different from other squirrel species where it prefers to live in underground burrows and these can be 30 feet long and 3 feet wide. The avarage lifespan of Chipmunks is 2 to 3 years in the wild.
3. Groundhog
Groundhog also known as marmot or woodchuck is the largest member of the squirrel family. The animal species can be seen in the regions of northeastern and central parts of North America. It loves to thrive in the forest, fields, and areas near roads and human settlements. It can grow upto 16 to 26 inches in length and weighs between 4 to 9 pounds.
Talking about the appearance, the body is covered with grayish to brown fur. The skin coat has two layers dense undercoat and long coarse on the surface. Groundhog is a diurnal animal that is only active during the day. The avarage lifespan of a Groundhog is up to 6 years in the wild and 9 to 14 years in captivity.
4. Snowshoe hare
The Snowshoe hare scientifically known as Lepus americanus is a species of hare found in the regions of North America. It is also known as the varying hare or snowshoe rabbit where snowshoe comes because of the large size of its hind feet. It is also one of the camouflaging animals where fur turns white during the winter and rusty brown during the summer.
The major predator of the species is the Canada lynx. The body of the Snowshoe hare grows from 413 to 518 mm (16.3 to 20.4 in) in length whereas the that grows in between 39 to 52 mm (1.5 to 2.0 in). The avarage lifespan of a snowshoe hare is 5 years in the wild.
Image Source: Dave Doe
5. Snowy owl
The snowy owl scientifically known as Bubo scandiacus is a large white owl native to the regions of North America and the Palearctic. The snowy owl is quite different from other owls because they are active during the day, especially in the summer season. The body size of the bird species can grow upto 20 to 28 inches with a total wingspan of 4.2 to 4.8 feet.
The avarage wieght of a Snowy owl is between 3.5 to 6.5 pounds. The bird species are also represented in the cave paintings of Europe. The oldest known Snowy owl is a female who is at least 23 years, 10 months old when she was recaptured and rereleased in 2015 during banding operations in Massachusetts.
Image Source: Wikipedia
6. Rodent
Rodents are the largest group of mammals and can be seen across every corner of the world except Antarctica, New Zealand, and a few Arctic islands. Apart from rats and mice, rodents also include beavers, porcupines, squirrels, and marmots. The smallest known rodent is Delany’s swamp mouse which weighs between five to seven grams and the body size is between five to six centimeters long. The diet of rodents includes vegetable and animal matter. The rodent species who live in dry areas used to get their water from their food.
Image Source: Wikipedia
7. Stoat
Stoats are small mammals which is closely related to weasels. The species can be seen in the regions of the northern hemisphere and loves to thrive in wood; and grassland. The species used to prey on mice, voles, and small birds as well. The skin used to change color in the winter season when it turns all white except the tip of the tail which is always black, however, in summer the skin color is reddish brown with a creamy tummy. One of the amazing winter animals is also known as an ermine. The avarage lifespan of the species is 4 to 6 years in the wild.
Image Source: Wikimedia
8. Arctic hare
The Arctic hare is one of the amazing winter animals that look like a rabbit. As of now 4 subspecies of Arctic hare are known to humans and can be seen in the regions of northern parts of North America and Europe, on Greenland and the North Pole. It can grow upto 19 to 26 inches in length and weighs between 6 to 15 pounds of weight. The tail of the Artic hare is 1 to 3 inches long.
Talking about the appearance, it has thick white fur where only the tip of the ears is black during the winter season, however, it is bluish-grey fur during the spring and summer. The avarage lifespan of the Arctic hare is 4 to 5 years in the wild.
Image Source: Wikimedia
9. Willow ptarmigan
The Willow ptarmigan is a medium ground-dwelling bird that can grow upto 35 to 44 cm and weighs between 430 to 810 gms. The total wingspan of bird species is between 60 to 65 cm. The avarage lifespan of the Willow ptarmigan is 9 years in the wild. The bird species is scientifically known as Lagopus lagopus and belongs to the pheasant family Phasianidae. It is also known as willow grouse and red grouse.
Image Source: Mick Thompson
10. Nymphalis antiopa
Nymphalis antiopa is also known as the mourning cloak in North America and the Camberwell beauty in Britain. The large butterfly species is native to Eurasia and North America. The immature form of nymphalis Antiope is also known as the spiny elm caterpillar. There are other old names as well for the butterfly species such as grand surprise and white petticoat.
Nymphalis antiopa has one of the longest lifespans of any butterfly species having an avarage lifespan of 11 to 12 months. This is also listed as the state insect of the U.S. state of Montana adopted in the year 2001. These are the amazing winter animals in the world. Kindly share and do post your comments.
Image Source: Wikimedia
These are the amazing winter animals in the world. Kindly share and do post your comments.
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