Warm winter's winners and losers

by Thor on Feb. 21st, 2006
in Interdependence of Life

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Minnesota's warmest January on record was good for starting cars, easing our heating bills, and waiting at bus stops. But what impact will it have on Minnesota's wildlife?

A few weeks ago, City Pages posed that question to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources officials, who said that our freaky weather creates definite winners and losers.

Winners:

Deer herds -- which are already at bulging numbers. Less snowpack has made scrounging for food easier.
Predators -- again, less snow makes it easier for hunting animals, especially those who soar down from the skies, to find their meals. With little or no snow, there are fewer places for prey to hide.
Insects -- if generally warmer weather continues, living conditions will improve for most insects, particularly those that carry diseases. Warmer weather is especially conducive to wasp populations.

Losers:

Moose -- the bulging deer populations will likely push further north, taking up space and food that moose need to live.
Grouse -- which rely on deep snow to hide from the fox and owls that like to prey on them.