How Norway's Animals Evolved to Survive the Harsh Norwegian Winter Nights

Norway is known for its long, intense winter nights. Now, scientists are taking a closer look at the adaptations that these animals have developed to survive.

For animals that live out in Norway's frigid winters, every second has to be spent finding enough food to survive the day and the long, hard night. It's not uncommon to find frozen birds in birdhouses after a winter cold snap.

So what adaptations do these animals have? Some creatures are inactive and go into hibernation. Bears, hedgehogs, bats and the northern birch mouse all hibernate between October and April or May. Other animals, though, resort to other means.

Norwegian game fowl all choose to find shelter in snow caves or burrows at night, and when they rest during the day. Snow insulates very well, so these small caves are significantly warmer than if the birds were to sleep in the open. For example, hazel grouse will dig down into the snow where they'll stay to survive and protect themselves from the cold.

The mealy redpoll also uses the snow to stay alive. It digs a system of snow tunnels for shelter. The Eurasian bullfinch also burrows into the snow, and small rodents will spend most of their winters in air pockets underneath the snow.

There are other techniques, as well. To survive cold winter nights, some species can slow their metabolism and reduce their internal body temperature. In fact, willow tits can reduce their body temperature from their normal 41 degrees Celsius to 31 degrees. This drastically reduces damaging heat loss.

When it's cold outside, it seems animals have evolved some useful methods to survive. They're constantly finding different ways to adapt to a harsh environment that tests their bodies each winter.

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