You're not the only species trying to keep warm

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | Sunday, January 26, 2003 | David Templeton

[Willie Green]

When I'm walking my dogs or jogging in 8-degree weather, one thought pervades my junk-drawer brain: How do they do it?

How do animals big and small survive frigid January weather?

Heading snout-first through a blizzard, I imagine myself as a squirrel, mole or weasel -- not a hard thing to imagine, my wife says -- wearing a leotard of fur and trying to survive frigid weather for one full day. Perhaps I would survive, but I'd be cranky.

[Willie Green]

Only one more week until Groundhog Day!

Make your predictions: Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow or not this year???

[Willie Green]

ping

[PaulJ]

Whenever we have cold like this in CT, the birds tend to huddle on the tops of chimneys to gather the warmth. Inevitably, as happened in our home yesterday, one of the less sure-footed creatures falls down the chimney.Opening a window or door usually does the trick in helping them to leave, but I always feel a bit sorry for the little guys as they return to the bleak cold.

[GirlShortstop]

Perhaps I would survive, but I'd be cranky.

LOL.   Family up in Maine had a unique "winter experience" just this past week... it seems as though a weasel had made its way into their house via garage and was helping itself to the cat food!   It has to be cold to drive *in* the weasels!

[CobaltBlue]

One very cold December night, I woke up when a mouse crawled under my covers and curled up next to me. I swear to God.

I picked it up and put it in a box with a towel and set it next to the space heater, and let it out the next morning.

[Willie Green]

Inevitably, as happened in our home yesterday, one of the less sure-footed creatures falls down the chimney.

Yeah, the heat from the chimneys help 'em keep warm, but it's not just a case where some of them are klutzy. They get dizzy and pass-out from the fumes.

[HairOfTheDog]

Birds are the ones that amaze me... They don't seem BIG enough to produce enough heat to survive, and the unlucky ones that have not gotten on any man-made birdhouse lists don't even have cover. No wonder they chirp for Spring.

[PaulJ]

They get dizzy and pass-out from the fumes.

I never knew that! We always assumed that they slipped. Live and learn. Thanks.

[Willie Green]

I never knew that! We always assumed that they slipped. Live and learn. Thanks.

Yep, it's true.
There's no need for any fancy "emissions control" to be placed on the chimney.
But keeping your furnace in good operating condition should help keep the most toxic emissions to a minimum, and save on your heating bill to boot. And a lot of people simply cover their chimneys with a chunk of coarse metal screen (¼~½" openings). The screen doesn't impede the exhaust, but it helps keep the critters out.

[octobersky]

... it seems as though a weasel had made its way into their house via garage and was helping itself to the cat food! It has to be cold to drive *in* the weasels!

What? This is the first I've heard of John Edwards adventurous visit to Maine.

[GirlShortstop]

This is the first I've heard of John Edwards adventurous visit to Maine.

Should I infer that you meant the *weasel* and not that typical "Meow Mix" loving critter? ©¿©

[Defiant]

Wow, that weather sounds awful. Well, I'm off to my hammock to enjoy an 80 degree day here in San Diego, before I go to the Super Bowl party. If you guys are watching that game (I hear it's popular), you'll get a view of the horrible weather we're having here. Whatever you do, DON'T move here!

[Capt. Tom]

There is nothing quite like this fellar. They go out hunting in 40 deg. below weather.

[Think free or die]

Well it's snowing here in suburban Philly tonight, and our bird feeders are full for the breakfast crowd. I'll sprinkle some more corn for the squirrels and ground feeding birds in the morning. I had no idea the cardinals and wrens were having such a hard time. I don't have any spare mink coats, but I can give them an extra portion of corn and suet. With this cold weather lately, more birds are going for the suet feeder than ever. We've had wild turkies visit us recently too - there's a flock of 8 we've seen in the neighborhood. Some of them stopped by for a snack last week. Love those birdies.