What Do Animals Do in Autumn?
During the transitional season of autumn, many animals embark on migrations so they can spend winter in a warmer location, while others stock up on food supplies and build structures to help them endure the impending cold weather. Animals of all varieties, including birds, squirrels, chipmunks and deer, stay active during the fall season by getting ready for winter. Many birds, beetles and insects head south to spend winter in the southern regions of the United States or Central and South America, while bears and squirrels are among the few that prepare for a long sleep called hibernation.
Although most plants and bushes come to life in the spring, some species, including many types of fungi and hardy berries, sprout in autumn. Fungi appear in forests, lawns and parks as the days shorten and nights turn cooler. Some berries and apples appear on trees during the fall, and they are snatched up by humans and animals alike. Berries that emerge on bushes provide important nutrients for migratory birds, such as crows and geese, as they pass through on their seasonal migration routes. Male deer sport fall antlers, which they use to battle other males for control over small groups of females called harems. Squirrels, bears and chipmunks, meanwhile, collect and stash supplies of nuts and seeds to keep on hand for the winter and prepare nests and dens for hibernation.
