As W.Va. residents deal with the aftermath of recent flooding and an ongoing heat advisory, some may wonder how our local wildlife are coping with these extreme weather changes.
Mack Frantz, a zoologist with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR), says most native animals are surprisingly well-prepared.
“Flooding is a natural disturbance for a lot of river systems,” Frantz explains. “If it can swim or fly, chances are it is going to find higher ground or safer shelter.”
Most species, he said, are well adapted to handle occasional floods, although more intense or “flashier” disasters can cause short-term displacement. Some wildlife may temporarily move to new habitats.
But, the severe weather does not end with the floods. This week’s heat wave brings a new set of challenges, pushing both people and animals looking to seek shade, shelter, and water.
“You can think of most wildlife behaviors as pretty similar to how humans react,” Frantz says. “They seek shade, rest during the hottest parts of the day, and look for water. Many species even have special adaptations to deal with heat.”
For example, groundhogs have summer chambers in their dens where they lie low during the hottest parts of the day, and deer shed their heavy winter coats to keep cool in their summer fur. Some animals, like fireflies, even change their behavior based on temperature.
“Warmer nights can cause them to flash faster, which can make it look like you’re seeing a different species,” Frantz notes.
However, while many species can adapt, the heat can still create stressful situations for certain wildlife. Songbirds are particularly vulnerable, relying primarily on panting to cool off.
“Putting out a small birdbath or fountain can really help relieve some of that stress,” Frantz suggests.
As for concerns about access to food and water, Frantz says some changes may occur—but most animals adapt by shifting their foraging behavior. Nocturnal or crepuscular species, which are most active at dawn and dusk, may adjust the timing of their feeding to avoid the peak heat.
Insects like butterflies are showing changes in flight patterns, with warmer temperatures potentially lengthening their active seasons or delaying early-stage flights, according to Frantz.
Some creatures, like snails, enter a summer dormancy called aestivation, essentially sleeping through the heat until conditions improve.
Overall, while local weather may seem extreme, W.Va. wildlife is more than ready to ride it out.
“They’re more resilient than we give them credit for,” Frantz says. “You might not see them as much when it’s hot, but that’s because they’re doing exactly what we’d do—finding ways to stay cool and safe.”
For locals wondering how they can help, Frantz advises to just keep it simple. “Wildlife usually does not need much from us,” he says. “But a shallow water source can be a small but helpful gesture, especially for birds.”
