Written by Emma Byrne, Transforming Lives Trainee.
November is here, bringing with it shorter days and colder weather. However, it’s not all doom and gloom; it also marks the month of Bonfire night celebrations! Spectacular firework displays, children gleefully waving sparklers in the air, everyone wrapped up in warm coats enjoying burnt jacket potatoes and hot chocolates, whilst huddled round the campfire; there is much to look forward to!
Wildlife are also beginning to feel the temperature drop and notice the shortening of daylight hours. Many mammals, such as hedgehogs and dormice, are now entering hibernation. Reptiles and amphibians on the other hand, don’t hibernate, but instead brumate.
Hibernation and brumation are both periods of dormancy where physiological processes decelerate in response to cold temperatures. Though closely related, hibernation and brumation still have marked differences, most notably the level of inactivity. During hibernation, mammals will fall into a deep sleep, where they don’t eat or drink. During brumation however, amphibians and reptiles still have periods of activity, when they take advantage of milder patches of weather to come out and forage.
One such amphibian is a Froglife favourite: the great crested newt. Throughout November, great crested newts will seek out shelter to over-winter in. This includes:
- Old woodland
- Scrub
- Holes in the ground
- Leaf and rock piles
How long they stay in the hibernacula depends on temperature. Newts usually emerge from brumation when temperatures reach over 5°C, so if it’s a little chillier than normal, they may take longer to appear. Great crested newts will continue to brumate until early spring.
Froglife wishes you a spectacular and safe Bonfire Night! If you choose to enjoy the dazzling displays and crackling bonfires in the comfort of your own garden, please remember to protect your garden wildlife. Ensure safety by setting up your bonfire pit away from compost heaps, and thoroughly checking for wildlife before lighting, as they will often use the heaps for shelter during hibernation and brumation.
You can find more tips on keeping wildlife safe during bonfire night here.