Sci Fri: Caterpillers & Hibernation
Spring is teeming with animals and insects that are either hibernating (hello stiff toads!) or didn't make it through the cold months of winter.
We weren't sure about this caterpillar, as some caterpillars (wooly bears) https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/lab-rat/arctic-creepy-crawlies-part-ii-woolly-bear-caterpillars/
are armed with the ability to brave the cold. Some insects contain a type of 'antifreeze' in the form of glycerin that allows them to come to life in the warmer weather.
However after some research, we discovered this caterpillar was indeed, on it's last of all it's legs.
As were all the minnows collected from the pond....and the stiff toads....