A big winter storm brought unusual amounts of snow and freezing temperatures to the southern United States. It slammed Texas on Tuesday. On Wednesday, heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain fell across parts of the Florida Panhandle, Georgia, and eastern Carolinas. Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi also got snow.
Most people stay indoors to keep warm. But is it too cold for the wild plants and animals outside?
Experts say that most wildlife natives should weather the storm just fine. That’s because God gave plants and animals the ability to adapt to their environments. (Read more about adaptation in Who Made the Change?)
Many of the plants alive today have never experienced such cold. But some of the plant generations before them did. Today’s plants likely still have adaptations to the cold in their genes. The plants may look dead after the storm, but most will bounce back.
The temperature in Houston, Texas, dropped below freezing on Tuesday night. Kevin Hodge is one of 66 staffers who spent the night at the Houston Zoo. They made sure the animals stayed warm. The zoo has indoor spaces where the animals can seek shelter.
But there are some species in the wild along the Gulf Coast at risk, according to Mr. Hodge.
“We worry about [sea turtles] when there is a sudden change in temperature,” he says. “If it changes rapidly overnight . . . they can get cold-stunned.”
The zoo works with U.S. Fish and Wildlife and the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research. Rescuers find the turtles. Veterinarians give them medical care. When the weather warms up, they go back to the wild.
Other animals like skunks, opossums, raccoons, and shorebirds can usually handle the cold on their own.
Snakes slither underneath logs and rocks, says Mr. Hodge. “When the temperature drops, so does the snake’s breathing and heart rate. They go into a mild hibernation. They always seem to do just fine.”
Even Miami, the sunniest part of Florida, could feel a cold surge later this week. If temperatures drop below 40 degrees, iguanas could start falling from trees. The cold-blooded reptiles can also get cold-stunned. When temperatures rise again, they’ll wake up and return to normal activity.
Long-term cold weather can kill the lizards, says Tom Portuallo. He owns Blue Iguana Pest Control. But “if it’s a healthy iguana, one night won’t matter.”
