The snow has finally covered our Apennines in white and silence. What does it mean for wild animals?
To get through the winter, each species activates its own anatomical, physiological and behavioural adaptations. The most important need common to all of them is tranquillity, together with the need to reduce movement and energy consumption.
The brown bear prefers to face the cold season by ‘resting’ in a protected place: we hope that the mild weather conditions will not disturb its natural and necessary hibernation any longer.
Large herbivores, such as deer, have developed darker winter fur to better capture the sun’s heat and a greater ability to draw energy from the dry winter vegetation.
What can we do when the snow comes? Admire its beauty and minimise the anthropogenic impact in the mountains so as not to disturb the tranquillity of the fauna.
