Frost is the first herald of winter. High up in the Cloud Castles, tiny drops of water are now turning into glittering snow crystals. Quietly the flakes trickle down the sky. Soon snow covers every green, shrouds fields, forests and meadows. The white splendor enchants the country and usually gives people carefree joy. For many wild animals, however, it is now a question of survival. Frost also brings cold and deprivation. The winter world has its own laws and nature demands maximum performance. It is a season of contrasts: relentless and ephemeral, fascinating and full of wonder. Wild animals in our garden or on the balcony, but also our animal roommates have to adjust to these months again and again. Each in its own way. They need special attention when the temperature is below zero.
Tips against the freezing cold
We live safely in our heated houses. Multifunctional clothing allows us to be outside for hours while walking or tobogganing. Animals naturally have sophisticated cold protection technologies. A dense braid of hair does not even allow the cold to penetrate to the skin. They hook into each other like a zipper. The top coat even catches snowflakes and doesn't even let the moisture penetrate down into the thick undercoat. With a thermal imaging camera it can be seen that deer, lynx, foxes or otters only lose body heat in a few places such as the eyes, nose and legs. Another trick: deer lower their body temperature in winter and slow down their metabolism. They go into a resting phase in which they move less. Similar to amphibians and fish. They look for protected places in the ground or under the ice layer of water and fall into a state of hibernation in which they hardly use any energy.
Mice, which only have a delicate fur, make themselves comfortable under the snow cover. They insulate their burrows and burrow systems from freezing temperatures with plant leaves and small branches.
He who searches will find
Even if everything seems silent and deserted: there is still food. Nature does not forget its animals. Mice now fill their hungry stomachs with roots, deposited grains and seeds.
Wild boars use their powerful noses to easily dig through the snow cushion. As long as the earth is not frozen, the omnivores will find what their hearts desire: roots, tubers, high-calorie acorns and beechnuts. Spicy fir branches serve as dessert. But where is the carnivorous fox supposed to find prey in the endless white? With his keen hearing, he cautiously tracks down mice under the snow. Hunger drives him, movement keeps him warm. With a skilful leap he pounces on the small cave and dips his head down into the snow. Our dogs also love sticking their noses in the snow! Many really blossom when they see the white splendor. They rip through the deep snow at full speed, infecting them with pure joie de vivre. Some cats, on the other hand, prefer not to put their paws outside the door when it's freezing.
Oh you dangerous...
Crackling tinsel, fragrant treats, dangling Christmas tree balls: what our darlings find tempting can quickly become their downfall. Leftovers from the feast menu can endanger your health. There is an increased risk of injury, especially with splintering poultry bones and fish bones. And there is also a danger to life with chocolate: Even a small amount of the active ingredient theobromine contained in the cocoa bean can lead to severe poisoning. If you want to give your pet a healthy treat, you can bake homemade treats that are optimally tailored to the needs of your pet.
A possible source of danger are also popular plants such as poinsettia, amaryllis, holly, Christmas rose or mistletoe. They contain toxic substances and should therefore be kept out of the reach of our four-legged friends. It is best to place the Christmas tree securely and securely fastened in a corner. If your four-legged friend has chosen it as "Toy of the Month", you can try to make it less attractive for dogs and cats. For example, almost all cats find the smell of citrus fruits unpleasant. A few fresh lemon or orange slices in the tree can help. Please refrain from (lead) tinsel, candles, scented oils, snow spray and easily breakable glass balls. Natural tree decorations made of straw or wood look at least as pretty.
Relaxed turn of the year
While we humans like to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new year with loud bangs and whistles, wild animals and pets usually suffer from terrible panic. They don't know what the flashes of light and blows mean and are scared to death. Dogs can have an accident blind from flight. Cats crawl into narrow hiding places from which they can no longer free themselves. Horses injure themselves because they cannot escape from their box.
As an animal lover, therefore, do without fireworks and instead donate the money to animal welfare projects.
You can support your loved ones at home by taking precautions: the first rocket fire starts in the morning or even the day before. As a precaution, put frightened dogs on a leash during this time. Dogs and cats chipped and registered in case they run away. Close the windows and shutters on New Year's Eve and create a familiar background noise - radio and TV can now be a little louder. For extreme "skins" you can get anti-anxiety medication or herbal remedies - but only after consultation with your vet , please.
