Does Milwaukee's Bitter Cold Winters Stress Wildlife?

The cold of winter is a formidable obstacle for many wildlife. In fact, low temperatures go beyond nipping and biting; they can be deadly for many living organisms. Thankfully, some wildlife animals seem to be designed to endure these frigid times. Despite their best efforts and strategically designed biological systems, wildlife citizens are exposed to many dangers each winter. This winter, as Milwaukee residents contemplate their animal control needs, they are encouraged to also consider the plight of wildlife animals in the cold climate.

How Wildlife Animals Adjust to Meet the Winter

For some wildlife, the key to surviving each winter lies in the changes they make to their activities. Some animals, for instance go into hibernation. They spend the few weeks leading up to winter storing up body mass by eating more than they usually do. When it is time to hibernate, they retreat into suitable spaces and fall into a deep slumber from which they don’t emerge until spring starts to show its face. Some animals go into torpor which is a less intense period of inactivity than hibernation. Those wildlife that don’t hibernate or go into torpor spend less time outdoors. Another winter coping strategy is migration. A number of animals, especially birds, avoid the cold altogether by moving on to warmer places as winter approaches. They then return with the arrival of spring.

Natural Defense Systems that Protect Wildlife Citizens from the Cold

For non-hibernating wildlife, the key to surviving the winter lies in their biological structure. Essentially, their bodies are designed to insulate them from the cold. Features such as extra body fat and thick furs help to keep the cold at bay. Additionally some of these animals have internal systems that adjust to help them cope in the cold. The central nervous system of animals like the 13 Lined ground squirrels do not respond to cold the way the human and mouse versions do. As a result, while human beings and mice feel the cold immediately and in full force, they do not and this allows them to tolerate lower temperatures. Extreme cold though challenges even the most winter-proof biology and so all wildlife species are vulnerable in the colder climates.

What Winter Means for the Relationship Between Milwaukee Homeowners and Their Wildlife Neighbours

Both hibernating and non-hibernating wildlife species will head for warm spaces like attics and basements of buildings to ride out the winter, and unfortunately, this often causes issues for the inhabitants of those buildings. They get in through cracks or crevices, and sometimes through uncapped vents or outlet pipes. Once they are inside, their activities and presence can lead to structural damage and the spread of diseases.

Expert Solutions; the Way to go for Wildlife Intrusions in the Winter

When wildlife animals find their way into your Milwaukee home this winter, try to remember that they are simply trying to avoid the cold just like everyone else. Instead of attempting to remove wildlife intruders yourself, which may result in harm to you as well as the animals, get a professional humane animal control team like Skedaddle to assist you. When Skedaddle carries out wildlife removal from your home, you can rest assured that the animals removed won’t be left vulnerable to the dangers of the winter cold. Skedaddle through its partnership with reputable wildlife rehabbers will ensure that the animals are placed in safe environments or relocated to natural habitats in which they can thrive.