Canada’s winters are famous for their deep snow and bone chilling cold. While many creatures curl up and hibernate until spring, some animals refuse to sleep through the season. Instead, they’ve developed amazing ways to thrive when temperatures drop and snow blankets the ground.
This article provides general information about wildlife behavior. Always observe animals from a safe distance and follow local wildlife guidelines.
1. Snowshoe Hare
Nature’s quick change artist, the snowshoe hare swaps its brown summer coat for brilliant white fur each winter. This incredible camouflage helps it blend perfectly into snowy landscapes, hiding from hungry predators like lynx and foxes.
Their oversized hind feet act like natural snowshoes, spreading their weight across soft snow so they can hop around without sinking. They stay busy all winter munching on twigs, bark, and evergreen needles to fuel their active lifestyle.
2. Red Fox
With a bushy tail that doubles as a cozy blanket, the red fox is built for winter hunting. Their thick seasonal coat keeps them warm while they patrol their territory searching for mice, voles, and other small prey hiding beneath the snow.
Red foxes have an incredible hunting technique called mousing, where they listen carefully for movement under the snow, then leap high and pounce down to catch their meal. Their keen hearing makes winter hunting surprisingly successful.
3. River Otter
Few animals love winter quite like the river otter. Their waterproof fur has two layers: dense underfur that traps warmth and longer guard hairs that repel water, keeping them toasty even in icy rivers.
River otters are famous for their playful sliding down snowy hills and ice covered banks, which isn’t just fun but actually helps them travel efficiently between fishing spots. They hunt fish, crayfish, and frogs under the ice all season long.
4. Moose
Standing tall as North America’s largest deer, moose are surprisingly well adapted to harsh winters. Their long legs work like stilts, letting them walk through deep snow that would trap smaller animals.
Moose have hollow hairs in their coat that trap air for insulation, keeping them warm in frigid temperatures. During winter, they browse on woody plants, tree bark, and twigs, needing to eat around 20 kilograms of food daily to maintain their massive body.
5. Chickadee
This tiny bird packs serious survival skills into its small body. Chickadees lower their body temperature at night to conserve energy, entering a state called regulated hypothermia that saves precious calories during long, cold nights.
They cache thousands of seeds and insects in hiding spots throughout fall, then remember where each one is hidden months later. Their incredible spatial memory helps them survive when food becomes scarce, visiting feeders and foraging constantly throughout winter.
