Michigan animals are more resilient than you'd think. Last week's frigid sub-zero temperatures didn't hurt the state's wildlife population, and warmer weather ahead will be to their benefit.
People across the state were bundled up this week during historic low temperatures. While we sipped hot chocolate and stayed indoors, animals native to Michigan followed their instincts to stay warm as well.
Katie Keen is the Wildlife Communications Coordinator for the DNR’s Gaylord branch. She said there’s no need to worry about the fate of wildlife during harsh weather.
“It is crazy to think, from our perspective, but wild animals, they’re built for our Michigan weather,” she said, “They have things that they do to be able to survive, and to make it through until spring.”
Keen said these instincts keep animals safe from the cold, but that’s not to say they won’t benefit from the warmer weather headed our way.
“In the fall, they’re putting on all this extra fat, and it’s to be able to make it through these winters,” she said, “We could still have pretty cold weather heading into the spring, so keeping them from depleting those reserves right now is just going to make them healthier in the spring.”
With temperatures forecasted in the 40’s in certain parts of the state, it’s a safe bet humans will enjoy a break from the cold too.