How animals gauge the weather

Thomas Ashby, Calgary — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:29:10 GMT

In Alberta it's Balzac Billy north of Calgary. This week the temps hit -40C and colder with wind chill. The next couple days will be -20C so I think even the guy who will be extracting the critter will be thinking twice about doing it at all! However, warmer weather is in the immediate future.

The biologic clock that is hardwired into hibernating mammals is very much under hormonal control and ultimately genetic control. But still, the whole idea of a clock implies a ticking down to some point heralding the end to hibernation. Is it not true that hibernation will happen even if the mammal lives it's whole life inside a cage and away from environmental cues?

How animals gauge the weather

DENISE, PHILA,PA. — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:49:21 GMT

I have 5 turtles all different types- this past week marked the end of hibernation & the return to eating, which they have not done since October. This was January 30. I believe that it is the length of the day not hot/cold, but how much sunlight is coming in seems to trigger (SPRING). I have had one aquatic turtle over 30 years. All 5 decided to "eat" their food all at once all on the same day-fascinating. 3 of these little or juvenile turtles were found on a busy intersection & given to me in the month of February because I believe the babies hatch at this daylight cycle.And yes, ther was snow on the ground. They are kept in a pretty consistent room with the same temperature mostly all year around. They also, have outside ponds & are allowed outside from the time the temperature is decent mid-70's. I have also noticed that when ouside in the fall the tail end of September even if the weather is 80 or above- they begin to slow down, appetite slows- no matter what the weather. We (human animals) are, I beleive the same biological clock. I'm from PA. -you go Phil..

How animals gauge the weather

April, Charlotte, MI — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:15:02 GMT

Watch a pasture of cattle and when a storm is about to hit you will see they will most often be gathered near a tree or other structure in a group laying with their backs to the wind. Many animals seem to be very sensitive to barometric pressure changes before a storm and will exhibit anxiousness - horses and dogs are usually very good indicators a storm is coming.

How animals gauge the weather

Gary Seay — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:20:36 GMT

If you're on your way to your favorite fishing hole and you notice the cows are lieing down in the fields, and the birds aren't singing, you might as well turn around and go back home, "cause the fish probably aren't very active either. However, if the opposite is true, you will probably fill the boat with fish...must have something to do with barometric pressure and its effect on all animals.

How animals gauge the weather

Steve H., Louisville, KY — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:37:17 GMT

Wooley worms are said to predict the type of winter that is to come. The black bands are for the cold time and the brown are for the mild time. Reading from front to back. Some years there are no black bands and some years there are no brown bands. It seems to be fairly acurate.

How animals gauge the weather

Renee Church, Fredericksburg, VA — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:45:38 GMT

One thing about goundhogs that I didnt see which is an old wives tale and seems to be true, is that groundhogs will usually stay in their holes during a rain storm, but if you see them out during the storm, that means there is more rain yet to come. (The premise being that it will last past their next mealtime so they go ahead and get wet rather than skip the meal.) There are tons of other animal tales but most require close (and repeated observation). Most people just dont have time for that anymore, or access to the wild kingdom.

How animals gauge the weather

John Doe, Seattle Wash — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:17:11 GMT

While living in Fresno CA (close to the geographic middle of the state) I would notice that a large influx of sea gulls would precede an earthquake by 3 to 10 days.

How animals gauge the weather

Dr. Winters; El Dorado, AR — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:22:36 GMT

Strange as it may sound, my female, mixed breed golden retriever becomes terrified minutes before a heavy rain, thunder and lightning.

How animals gauge the weather

Howard — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:26:44 GMT

I ,being a retired meteorologist, like to think that old sayings like"Red sky in the morning,sailor take warning;red sky at night sailors delight".. might relate to meteorlogical reality with some accuracy but then maybe could really be said for northern hemisphere sailors only to be valid in my opinion.
Red sky morn=east direction whereas most weather systems move ,in the northern hemisphere, in a relative east to west direction ,so it seems that "the take warning" part would be valid since a red sky might surely indicate clouds moving in from a distance and from the east etc..Where at night a red sky =west, and delight because the clouds were then moving away or were not in a threatening position.
Alot of this would be just the opposite in the southern hempisphere ,therefore not be necessarily "a wise ole saying"?Anyone have ideas on this besides me??This is just me thinking outloud anyway.Ha Ha

How animals gauge the weather

Joe Holewa, Memphis, Tn. — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:14:36 GMT

Ants predict rain. My Grandfather would nver cut hay until he looked at ant holes. When the hole was wide and the sand around the hole was flat, that is when he would cut hay. According to my Grandfather when the ants started to hill up the sand, and make the hole smaller, it was going to rain in 24 hours. The higher the hill, and the tighter the hole closed meant a heavy rain. For the 18 years I lived with my Grandfather, rain never fell on the hay he cut.

How animals gauge the weather

Marcia Gjundjek, Hortonville, WI — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:22:24 GMT

I have a little female tabby cat that I would put up against the best meterologist anywhere in predicting thunderstorms! It begins when she crouches down with an 'evil' eye, usually 20-30 minutes before we detect anything amiss with the weather. We know it's going to be bad when she slinks off on her belly and scoots behind a bathroom toilet or behind the washer.... and she's never wrong! We breathe easier when she comes out from her 'safe' place and gives us the all clear look....

How animals gauge the weather

Paul, Atlanta, GA Home of groundghog General Lee — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:36:45 GMT

When it's about to rain, my cat appears at the back door, demanding to be fed. Of course he also does the same thing when it's threatening to be dry, snowy, earthquaky... uh, I guess this isn't so accurate...

How animals gauge the weather

Philip — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:38:53 GMT

This shows that man has a place in nature, but is different than the animals.

"Art is the signature of Man."
- G.K. Chesterton

How animals gauge the weather

Annabelle Yelm, Wa — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:10:54 GMT

My mom grew up in Oklahoma back in the 50's and 60's. She told me more than once how they read the animals to predict what weather was coming, including tornados. I don't know if it's that they are more in tune with mother earth of if it's something as simple as deeper senses of smell and feeling vibrations but I think we should all take it a little more to heart. Animals have saved human lives more times than we can count.

How animals gauge the weather

greg — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:40:49 GMT

Our weather dog sits in one corner of the kitchen to tell us it will rain that day. If she moves to the other corner it's going to rain immediately. If she goes to our son's closet then we're in for a helluva storm. Moths will light on our patio door even if it's below freezing as humidity rises before a front. Our antique secretary will begin to pop and snap at about that time.

How animals gauge the weather

deborah houston tx — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 22:44:38 GMT

Just like the golden retriever, my full blooded female Red Bone Coon Hound begins to shake and cry for no apparent reason and then within no more than 30 minutes (often much less) a huge rainstorm descends upon us - lighting thunder all of it - crazy

How animals gauge the weather

Ken Jackson, Brooklyn, New York — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 22:54:59 GMT

Although animals, fish, birds and insects won't tell you what they think and feel or what time of day or month it is, as humans can, they do possess extraordinary instinctive qualities, that we still know so little about. Even their senses (as much as million times or even greater than ours) seem to extend far above and beyond what we know and don't know. Some old timers would say, a thick growth of animal fur would indicate a harsh winter. How do snakes, rats, chickens, roaches etc. sense undetectable vibrations, electrical, magnetic disturbances before an earthquake ? Is that it ? What did the elephants and a variety of other animals and birds detect as they fled, before the tsunami hit in 2005. How does the artic tern fly from the north to south pole or the Monarch butterfly from Canada to Mexico or a sea turtle swim from our west coast to Asia, across the Pacific ocean and other migrations of birds, fish and animals. What is their compass or GPS ? Are there are other unknown phenomena, forces, energies on the earth or in our solar system that governs life on earth ? How little we know !

How animals gauge the weather

Don L. Johnson — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 02:55:35 GMT

Living in Fairbanks, Alaska during the last really big quake (7.8) our Shetland Sheepdog started her bazar activity the day before. A full 24hrs before it hit. I won't take the time or space to describe her antics but surfice to say it was apparent her concern was for our well being as opposed to fear for her own.
(Nobody was hurt in that quake because there's nothing tall enough to fall on you. Except trees and they're easy to avoid. And the pipe line didn't leak.)

How animals gauge the weather

Rodney Sibert, Trussville, AL — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 02:58:44 GMT

I have a Husky / Lab mix. Beautiful bog.
When he houls, I know the train is coming.
:-)

How animals gauge the weather

Scott, Post Falls,ID — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 10:26:15 GMT

A gal in Priest Lake, ID said she could predict he winter's high snow level by the height @ which the hornets built their nests the preceding summer, generally 8-12 feet!

How animals gauge the weather

Deirdre, Buckinghamshire, England — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 12:20:59 GMT

In my corner of England you might suddently start feeling as if feathers are tickling your skin. Then you'll notice miniscule black specks on the walls and glass and other surfaces. These are thunder flies and they can even get inside framed pictures. When you feel them tickling you and crawling around everywhere, you can be pretty sure there's going to be a thunderstorm. Also, it's said that if the cows are sitting down in the field, it's going to rain.

How animals gauge the weather

John Wittenborn, Cutler, Il. — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 13:24:29 GMT

What I have observed, being raised on a farm. Horses turn their butts toward bad weather & cattle face bad weather. I guess our cattle were different.

How animals gauge the weather

Jon R., Holly Springs, NC — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 17:10:09 GMT

Phil is the real deal. It's a shame that these other groundhogs get any press!

How animals gauge the weather

ge~pennsylvania — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 23:34:13 GMT

I have a groundhog who comes into my yard every winter during the last week of January. I don't know if he sees his shadow or not,==but my neighbor told me that it lives in his summer cottage for the winter. My neighbor doesn't live up here for the winter, so he doesn't mind..

How animals gauge the weather

Tess, Orlando, FL — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 00:23:03 GMT

It's been my experience that dogs who are storm phobic know when a storm approaches - either through smell or an atmospheric change that they sense or feel. My corgi heads to the bathroom during a thunderstorm - and woe betide anyone who tries to get her to budge until the electrical activity passes.

How animals gauge the weather

Des Emery — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 04:06:00 GMT

One of the "useless" research projects conducted by university students over several years up north involved tracking the dates that red squirrels were activated from their hibernation and began mating rituals.

When the data was compiled it became obvious that the annual 'wake up' time was advancing regularly and was, at the time the study was released, two full weeks sooner than previously published.

Even silly squirrels believe in Climate Change.

How animals gauge the weather

Sam Cogar, Burnsville, WV — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 11:32:48 GMT

Mr. Boyle, I enjoyed reading your article and the replies. So I just had to contribute my 2 cents worth. And of course you probably already know the first 3 are science based, but you may not of ever heard of the 4th one, which is not science based that I am aware of.

Cattle lying down is a sign of rain if they have eaten enough because they prefer a dry spot to lay and chew their cud. And if you are on your way to your favorite fishing hole, hurry on, the fish “bite better” when it first begins to rain because bugs and worms are “washed” into the pond/river and thus the fish are in a feeding mood. (OOPS, that 2nd part might be thought of as an “attack” of another comment.)

Yes, “red skies” do predict rain and the “red” is due to the Sunshine on the underneath of moisture laden clouds. And this can only occur in the early morning or evening when the Sun is low on the horizon. Thus, “red skies in the evening” means no rain clouds blocking the Sunshine and clear skies are coming. And “red skies in the morning” means the rain clouds are coming.

Dogs and other animals are good predictors of storms because they can hear the thunder or feel the vibrations from many, many miles away.

Now most everyone has heard the term “a break in the weather” meaning the end of an extended “abnormally hot period” or ”abnormally cold period” of 10 to 15 days or longer. Now over the past 30+ years, ever since a friend told me about it, I have used the Moon, with surprisingly better than average results, to predict the “break” of ”abnormally cold periods” during the winter months. Whenever someone asks when a cold spell is going to end, my answer always is “when the Moon changes” or I look at the calendar and give them a specific date. The date the calendar specifies for the Full Moon or the New Moon, whichever is next. And if it “misses” on the New Moon date it will remain cold until the Full Moon date.

cheers

How animals gauge the weather

Jim Hill, Caldwell Tx — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 12:59:38 GMT

I will weigh in on the abilities of animals as I am owned by a mini pin female dog. She is very regular when she wants to go out, usually 8 or 9 in the mornings and 6 at night. What I have noticed and very regular is, if it is going to be raining the next morning, she will want to go out at 9-10 at night, or if it will be raining at evening will want to go out mid day. I might be able to look at the weather news and maybe see what will happen, but she has been correct more times than our weather man. If raining all day, she does her best to wait it out,,,,(never an accident in the house also)

How animals gauge the weather

Victor Duluth, Mn — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 21:00:14 GMT

Don't listen to the trees, they use reactive senses rather than predictive process, like the larch drops their needles in the winter and the decidious trees bud when it gets warm enough long enough. It would seem they are always the last to know.

How animals gauge the weather

Thomas Ashby, Calgary — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:16:18 GMT

Jon R., NC:

What on earth do you mean by "its a shame these other groundhogs get any press!"? In case you didn't realize it, spring actually does happen elsewhere in North America (north of the 35th parallel that is?) But anyway, this is all just in fun, there is no merit in groundhogs predicting when spring will occur.

How animals gauge the weather

Betty Agnew, Virginia Beach, Virginia — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:18:04 GMT

Okay everyone; groundhog day has gone on long enough. Stop torturing the groundhogs and let them be.

How animals gauge the weather

JOAN LAVIANA GULF SHORES, ALA. — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:00:06 GMT

I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE REMEMBERS...THIS OCCURED MANY YEARS AGO, LATE 70'S EARLY 80'S, I'M NOT SURE OF MY TIME FRAME, SO FORGIVE ME ANY INACCURACIES. THE OVERPASS BRIDGE IN GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT COLLAPSED. ALTHO NOT A VERY LONG BRIDGE, IT WAS QUITE HIGH. IT APPARENTLY COLLAPSED DURING THE NIGHT HOURS THEREBY MAKING IT UNDETECTABLE TO TRAVELERS UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. MANY DROVE OFF AND UNFORTUNATELY WERE KILLED.BUT, HERE'S THE REALLY STRANGE PART. HUNDREDS OF BIRDS NESTED UNDER THE BRIDGE AS BIRDS ARE WONT TO DO. HOWEVER, SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE THE TRAGIC COLLAPSE, EVERY SINGLE BIRD ABANDONED THE BRIDGE. NOT ONE REMAINED. "EXPERTS" HAVE TRIED TO GIVE A REASONABLE EXPLANATION FOR THE FLIGHT, CLAIMING THAT UNUSUAL NOISES AND TREMORS IN THE STRUCTURE PRECEEDED THE IMMINENT DISASTER DRIVING THE BIRDS OFF. PERHAPS......OR DID THEY SIMPLY "KNOW" SOMETHING WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN? BTW....IF YOU DRIVE BY A FIELD OF CATTLE AND THEY ARE ALL LAYING DOWN, BETTER TURN AROUND AND GO HOME AND GET YOUR UMBRELLA......IT'S GONNA RAIN!!

How animals gauge the weather

Linda, Monterey, Ca — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 00:27:22 GMT

An old saying from my grandmother "north wind makes cows dry up and women cross". I'll take her word for the cows (we had one) but know for sure it makes me cross. Not pertaining to weather predicting, but amusing.

How animals gauge the weather

D Overgaauw, Elkhorn, Kentucky — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 16:47:07 GMT

Many blogs are not worth reading, they simply TALK about the weather! This blog, however, was a pleasure to read. It gives me hope that there IS intelligent life out there and healthy curiosity about the world around us still exists. I predict subshine in our future.

How animals gauge the weather

James Farr — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:09:40 GMT

I have predicted cold or warm winters in New york by the abundance of the Blue Claw Crab catch in my area. The crabs,(if there is a long snow melt in Spring)react to the freshwater by breeding late.If the crabs are not caught much,they probably bred late.Chances of the next winter being cold are reduced are close to nil.How often have we had two real cold spells in a row in N.Y.I've been predicting each winter for the last ten years.I've come out right each time.

How animals gauge the weather

Heather, the Pacific Northwest — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:49:46 GMT

I do believe animals have a good sense of coming earthquakes. In the mid-90's the pacific northwest had an earthquake. My cat was sleeping curled up next to me on my waterbed. About 5 - 10 seconds before the quake hit, the cat went flying off the bed in a manner that meant something had very much alarmed her. I sat up and looked outside. Even I could tell something wasn't quite right, not that I was able to put my finger on it until the quake hit.

How animals gauge the weather

Mona Pellerin, Maggie Valley, NC — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 07:33:19 GMT

Thousands of Crawfish in the wake of Hurricane Audrey exited the marshes around Cameron, Louisiana. It is believed that they sensed the 2-3 degrees Fahrenheit rise in temperature of the sea waters. The storm intensified quickly and the failure of people to evacuate resulted in the loss of over 600 people.

How animals gauge the weather

Dave DeLuca, Vichy, Mo. — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:31:40 GMT

I would like to know about hornets. I heard that if the hornets nest is low to the ground the winter will be colder than usual. The higher the nest the more mild the winter. Someone told me today that it is just the opposite of what I thought.

How animals gauge the weather

Lily Badum; Rohnert Park, CA — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 15:50:19 GMT

Dogs around my neighborhood bark when fire truck or police siren is heard. Their noise turn into a chaotic & prolonged hauling when an earthquake is coming or had already occurred in a far distance place. Usually if the quake is local; dogs abruptly stopped their noises. I would just turn on the TV/Radio for the news, paper the next day or the internet to check. It's 99.9% positive: a quake happened.

How animals gauge the weather

B. Kettle — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 02:55:36 GMT

I have a potbellied pig, along with horses,cats,dogs. The pig lives in the barn in a stall that she has carried a whole mound of hay into. I have learned that if shes under the hay it's gonna be cold, the deeper she gets and how she builds the wall determines how cold. If she is laying close to the top it won't get that cold. The old wives tale of "if a pig carries sticks it's gonna be bad weather" has been true here in central Mo. Plus the horses get anxious and the cats huddle up in the loft.

How animals gauge the weather

PT, Vernonia, Oregon — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 04:27:30 GMT

I have noticed that before storm events approach that men seem to be more assertive and also aggressive, as they charge into the weather conditions, where women walk backwards towards storm events. They do similar to cows which lay down or place their backs to bad approaching weather. Perhaps women are smarter then men?

How animals gauge the weather

Steven F. Durst, Bayard, West Virginia — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:12:03 GMT

If we just slow down our lives a little and observe nature. We will see that the animal kingdom is quite adept at understanding the weather is about to change.
That doesn't mean that they predict a colder or warmer winter coming. It means they can sense a change in the "air" the same as we.
When a snow storm is aproaching deer will find heavy thickets of laurel or what ever can give them some protection from the storm and simply lay down and weather out the storm.
Birds too seek cover and feed differently because of an approaching winter storm.
Any farmer will tell you his livestock senses a coming lightening storm. Any one who has ever owned a dog knows they sense thunder and lightening long before we do.
Crickets, earthworms, slugs and other creepy crawly things are all good at being what they are. They survuve because God gave them sense enough to.

How animals gauge the weather

R. Fouts, Terre Haute, IN — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 13:26:38 GMT

I grew up in rural Iowa and now live in Indiana. I love the out of doors and have spent as much time there as possible. I've noticed that whenever certain trees turn their leaves over to show the underside it will rain within 24 hours. The silver maple is very easy to detect. I've found this to be 100% accurate.

How animals gauge the weather

Jane Doe, Seattle, WA — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:12:02 GMT

What are the advantages for Mankind to enter into a cycle which includes Hibernation?
It would help to clean up the garbage we produce.

How animals gauge the weather

Kathy ~ Colorado — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:52:31 GMT

When my border collie suddenly goes ballistic and tries to hide behind the easy chair we know a thunderstorm is headed in shortly. If it is a bad thunderstorm, she cries and whimpers and shakes ~ very frightened. I've tried and tried to hold her and pet her during a storm to console her but it doesn't work. We did live in MN for awhile and if she hid in the closet, we knew she could sense tornadoes, and about that time, the TV would issue Tornado warnings for our area.

How animals gauge the weather

Suzanne Rochester, NY — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 01:30:29 GMT

Bird flight, Electromagnetic Field and Barometric pressure also play a part in how animals and birds react to changes in weather. I've noted that just before weather severly changes in winter and before storms here. Birds fly in erratic (non-formation) often hit windows and flying things they normally would not do. In my observations 24-48 hours prior to a shift in weather, roosting patterns change, in as they tend to huddle on hanging wires in larger numbers than other times, warm weather or cold. I also noticed this when I had an indoor aviary in my home. Birds in the aviary seemed to follow outside bird behavior in many instances, including snipping, fighting and corner clinging particularly 24-48 hours preceeding a change in weather. Also, outdoors this behavior has been observed in birds being more territorial, pecking, fighting, clinging in shrubs and smaller trees as well as changes in pitch, frequency and sounds in chirping.

How animals gauge the weather

california — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:47:27 GMT

cats get frisky
my dog acts nervous and does not want to walk

How animals gauge the weather

bryan kelly portland oregon — Thu, 07 May 2009 02:58:45 GMT

My border collie has had odd reactions to weather changes for years, often in the spring but not every spring. This spring here in Oregon might have been confusing for him as the winter, remarkably, was fairly dry and the spring has been a steady back and forth from warm and dry to classical Oregon torrents. So, recently, he has been skittish, cowering and distant. This passed, completely, in a day or two, but then returned. [ His appetite has held steady, there are no worms in his feces and when he is himself his energy level is 'normal' for a border-collie]. He is 9 pushing 10 and I'm wondering if this is a factor. Additionally, while he still can pull off a great burst of speed, he gets up very slowly, like a sore muscled athlete. Any advice is welcome.