Happening at the Crossroads
January 1, 2007
Some folks go south for the winter; other curl up in well-insulated homes during the cold season. We at Crossroads at Big Creek like to stay active during winter, which usually means learning to to cope with the snow. Same goes for winter-active wildlife.
Snow can be the death of some creatures. Unable to run in deep drifts, they fall prey to faster or flying predators. But many animals take winter in stride, literally.
Just as snowshoes and skis help humans traverse snow, special adaptations aid some animals. The best equipped "snow bunny" is the aptly name snowshoe hare.
The hind feet of these winter-white hares are disproportionately large and their four long toes spread to a great width. The advantage of natural snowshoes is obvious to anyone who has seen the tracks. Hares can bound over the snow without sinking. Most predators just can't make tracks fast enough.
When it comes to making tracks in the forest, ruffed grouse make quite an impression. Grouse are similar in size and shape to barnyard chickens, and like chickens, they spend a good deal of their time wandering around on the ground.
Each winter, grouse grow weird but effective little combs on the sides of their toes. These provide traction, actually double the surface area of the foot, and much like a snowshoe, keep the birds from sinking in the snow.
Even whitetail deer are able to spread out their body weight as if they had snowshoes. The cloven hooves of deer are quite petite. But deer have small toes called dewclaws protruding from their lower legs. The small circular tracks made by dewclaws often show in snow, resembling prints made by a woman wearing high heels. In the snow, the dewclaws help support the weight of the animal by greatly increasing the surface area of each foot.
Yet, chest-deep snow can impede deer. Plowing through the snow with their bodies takes enormous energy. Thus, like cross-country skiers, these animals tend to create trails and to follow them whenever possible. Trailing also is practiced by porcupines.
Actually, porkies will avoid waddling through snow if they can. These prickly characters often stay in trees, where they feed on the inner bark) for days on end. When they run out of food or must find shelter from severe weather, stubby legged porcupines plow little trails from tree to tree or from tree to den. These deep troughs look like they've been swept with a whisk broom, for the porcupines drag their quill-covered tails through the snow. The porkie-paths often are well worn for they are used by all creatures great and small.
Otters don't have natural snowshoes nor do they need to follow trails. They toboggan... on their bellies. These sleek mammals seem to make a game our of every facet of their lives and snow merely increases their recreational opportunities.
Whether or not Crossroads is covered with a blanket of white, our recreational and educational activities will center on snow this week. On Friday at 2:00, we will repeat the lecture/slide presentation"Snow."
During the weekend, Door County Living Classrooms will use the Collins Learning Center for their “Create Your Own Snowshoes” workshop. And on Sunday, if snow conditions are adequate for skiing, the Friends of Crossroads will loan skis to families.
Crossroads trails are free and open to the public. If there is snow, walkers should use designated hiking trails. Crossroads at Big Creek is a donor-supported learning preserve dedicated to life-long learning in science, history and the environment. The parking area is located across from Whitetails Unlimited on Michigan (TT) Street in Sturgeon Bay. For more information, call 920-746-5895.
Watching the skies at Christmas - December 17 News
Christmas presents for wildlife - December 3 News
Find out what Christmas trees wildlife prefer - November 22 News
Learn about middens - November 20 News
Crossroads at Big Creek is a mission-driven,
donor-support learning preserve focusing on science, history and the environment. Naturalist programs and lecture
are free unless otherwise noted. The trails of Crossroads are free and open to the public. Pets (on leash and under
control) are permitted but owners are encouraged to help keep the trails clean. Once snow is on the ground, hikers are asked to use designated trails and to avoid the groomed ski trails. The Collins Learning Center is
open Monday, Thursday and Sunday, 1:30 - 5:00, and Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, 11:00 - 3:00 and during scheduled
events. Crossroads at Big Creek is located at the intersection of Highway 42/57 and Michigan Street in Sturgeon
Bay. For more information, call 920.746.5895.
