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Snow dwellers
YOU South Africa|30 January 2025
We look at the animals that have evolved to be able to survive and thrive in icy conditions
Snow dwellers

THEY may look fun in the movies but snowy environments can be some of the harshest places on Earth. Food and shelter become almost impossible to find and temperatures often drop far below freezing. And yet there are animals who have developed and adapted to be able to survive in these conditions.

Snow-covered regions can be found all over the world, from the frozen tundra of the Arctic to the towering peaks of the Himalayas and the vast, empty expanses of the Antarctic. These places are known for their freezing temperatures, strong winds, and icy surfaces.

For a human being to survive in these types of environments, you would need layers of warm, insulating clothing and access to shelter with a constant supply of heat. Not to mention a few months' supply of food and water.

Animals that live in snowy areas have developed in such a way that it is possible for them to find food, stay warm and avoid predators. Growing thicker coats of fur or adding layers of fat to insulate themselves are examples of physical adaptations.

Behaviourally, hibernation is a way for animals that can't migrate (like birds such as swallows) to stay safe and preserve energy during the cold months.

During hibernation, an animal's metabolic rate (the amount of energy it uses) slows down, their body temperature lowers and even their heart rate and breathing slow down.

Hibernating animals will often build up a reserve of body fat in the warmer months and survive on this while they hibernate.

Let's meet a few of these amazing animals who survive in snowy parts of the world.

ARCTIC FOX

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