At the beginning of December the weather in Germany is wintry. Many wild animals find less food in the cold season. On the one hand, because the ground is frozen and there is hardly any fresh greenery, grains or seeds. On the other hand, insects, for example, are no longer a food source for birds. Conservationists advise helping wild birds survive with food until spring. You can find a few tips here.
Many migratory birds have already made their way south, but probably not all of them: Due to the generally milder winters in our region, it has been repeatedly observed in recent years that classic migratory birds skip the strenuous flight south in order to return to their homeland Summer quarters to overwinter. Others shorten the trip and take a winter break halfway through.
The weather suddenly changed – December began with frost and snow
This year, however, some “Dableiber” were caught off guard by the cold and snow, as the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” reported, for example. The onset of winter came early, brought a lot of snow in places and the temperatures dropped significantly. Suddenly it’s cold and food is scarce.
Other animal species are coping well with the drop in temperature – and for some people the snow makes them feel really happy. To observe such extremely happy reactions, you have to go to the zoo and watch the penguins or polar bears.
Opinions on the topic of snow are divided among pets such as dogs and cats. While some dogs are happily playing outside, others are just horrified, as a photo of a dachshund in this spread proves.
We have put together a few animal snapshots in this picture gallery. Have fun with it!
Sources: “Sueddeutsche.de“, Nabu