SPOKANE, Wash. – Temperatures are across the Northwest. While people turn up the heat in their homes, wildlife have to adapt to the colder conditions.
Deer adjust to the changing seasons by developing a more insulative coat. The additional fur traps heat while keeping the cervidae warm.
Putting on weight also helps deer, moose and other wildlife across the northwest stay warm. A deer can hold as much as 30 % of its body mass in fat in the fall months.
Additional fat also helps deer survive harsh winters, when food sources are less plentiful and require more calories to digest.
As spring approaches, deer shed their heavy coats and lose weight.
