Food storage, migration, and hibernation are all reactions to seasonal variations. Hormone shifts bring on an animal's innate need to prepare for winter as the days become shorter and the nights get longer.
Some animals change from their summer brown fur to their white winter coats when the snow starts to fall.
Here are some animals that turn white during winter to camouflage themselves in the snow:
Arctic Fox: Their thick fur turns white in winter, helping them blend in with the snow.
Snowshoe Hare: These hares change their brown coats to white in winter, making them nearly invisible.
Ptarmigan: A bird that turns white in winter, except for its black eyes and beak.
Ermine (Stoat): Their brown fur turns white in winter, except for the black tip of their tail.
White-tailed Jackrabbit: Their brown coats turn white in winter, helping them hide from predators.
Snowy Owl: While not entirely white, their feathers turn whiter in winter to blend in.
Reindeer (Caribou): Their coats turn lighter in winter, helping them blend in with the snowy landscape.
Arctic Ground Squirrel: Their fur turns white in winter, helping them hide from predators.
These animals have adapted to the changing seasons to survive and thrive in their winter habitats!