Birds
What does it mean when a bird is "nocturnal"?
The bird is asleep during the day, and is awake to hunt at night.
What is the process that plants use to convert light energy into chemical energy, creating food?
Photosynthesis
What is the condition for when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, resulting in a dangerously low body temperature?
Hypothermia
Why do animals build shelters?
To avoid the elements (wind, cold, snow)
What is the definition of the word "climate"?
the long-term average of weather patterns in a specific area, measured over decades, and is defined by variables like temperature, humidity, and precipitation.
Name 2 behaviors birds may exhibit during the winter season
Flocking, constant foraging, fluffing feathers
What kind of plants don't lose their leaves (or needles) during the winter? Bonus Points: name 2 species
Evergreens
Eastern Hemlock, White Pines, Red Pines, Norway Spruce
Give 2 examples of locations to build a winter shelter
Caves, tree wells, snow trenches
Why do some mammals change their fur color during the winter?
Camouflage from predators
True or False: Groundwater stays the same temperature throughout the year
True
What are the winter feathers of a bird?
Down feathers
Where do plants store their energy/water during the winter to survive?
Roots and Stems and Needles
What're the 3 main things needed to build a fire?
Ignition, oxygen, fuel
Give 3 examples of animals who change fur color for the winter
Snowshoe hair, arctic fox, ermine
Explain the difference between weather and climate?
Weather: What is going during the way (rain, snow, sunny, windy)
Climate: The average weather conditions in a region across a longer timespan
Explain the difference between resident, winter resident, and migrant birds
Resident: Michigan is home all year long
Winter Resident: Michigan is home during the winter
Migrant Birds: Birds move south to find warmer weather, avoiding Michigan winters
True or False: Conifer trees have flexible branches. Why or why not?
True. To withstand the weight of snow piling up on them
What are some symptoms of hypothermia?
Shivering, goosebumps, dizzy, difficulty speaking, blue lips and fingertips, thinking you are super warm when it is very cold outside
Torpor
Define carbon footprint
The total amount of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide and methane, released into the atmosphere by human activities
Name 5 year-round resident birds of Michigan
Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, Mourning Dove, American Goldfinch, Tufted Titmouse, Red-breasted Nuthatch, etc.
Explain why plants stop growing during the winter season? What is the term called for them "being asleep"
There is less sunlight and harsher weather for them to survive. They must store their energy. The become dormant or go into dormancy.
Why can we see our breath during the winter? What temperature can this occur?
The water vapor in our breath freezes as it leaves our body. This can occur at 32 degrees fahrenheit
What is the term for an animal whose presence keeps the ecosystem in balance? Give an example of one of these species?
Beaver, Gray Wolf
Explain how climate change is impacting glaciers? Are glaciers freshwater or saltwater? How do glaciers lead to dune formation?
Climate change is causing a warmer climate, leading to the glaciers melting. Glaciers are made of freshwater. Glaciers grind the land down, forming sand, which is then blown into dunes.