Wild animals in Bavaria's southern region are grappling with the excessive snowfall, much like their human counterparts. Deer, confronting the chilly climate, need more energy to stay alive, requiring them to conserve energy through minimal movements and extended rest sessions, as revealed by Andreas Zahn, a species conservation expert at Bund Naturschutz and the Mühldorf am Inn district group chairperson.
The deep snow poses challenges for predators like owls and falcons, making it hard for them to catch their prey, mice. On the flip side, mice, capable of surviving under the snow, rely on roots and herbs for sustenance while fortunately avoiding birds of prey.
Kingfishers, a species dependent on fish and aquatic animals for food, struggle in winter, when frozen ponds and lakes limit their access to prey. The abundance of snow has even surprised and affected migratory birds in the LBV's report. Despite the surprises, some bird species migrate to Bavaria due to its relatively mild winter, allowing them to evade the harsh conditions of Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.
The meadows of Bavaria cater to the great egret's appetite for mice, insects, amphibians, and fish. Unlike bats and hedgehogs, these creatures are surprisingly unbothered by the abundant snow in the area, having already ventured into hibernation in caves.
Heavy snowfall in nature reserves across Bavaria threatens wildlife such as deer and kingfishers, who struggle to find food during the winter. The Bund Naturschutz, a nature conservation organization in Mühldorf am Inn, expressed concerns about the impact of extensive snow on wild animals. Some migratory birds from northern or eastern Europe seek refuge in Bavaria due to its mild climate compared to their original habitats.
To further understand wildlife's response to heavy snowfall, consider these points:
- Snow camouflage serves as a protective shield for species like snowshoe hares and arctic animals within the snow cover, reducing the likelihood of predator attacks.
- Heavy snow can disrupt habitats, making it difficult for some species to locate food and shelter, pushing cold-adapted grasshoppers, butterflies, and dragonflies to increasingly warmer climes.
- The warming climate has shaped the availability of food, potentially reducing options for cold-adapted species.
- Behavioral changes among arctic animals can occur due to suddenly inadequate snow cover, making it hard for them to avoid threats.
- Rapid snowmelt can trigger flash floods, altering stream conditions and threatening the survival of salmon and other species that rely on specific water levels for reproduction.
In conclusion, the immediate impact of heavy snow on wild animals in Bavaria can be obscured, but the broader trend of climate change adds complications to the ecological balance, changing habitat, food availability, and species interactions.
