During the cold weather, a lot of us want to just cozy up on the couch with a good book or head to bed to have a long nap. There's a lot going on during the winter months though, whether it be temperature, animal, or plant-related!
Winter is such a beautiful season!Courtesy of stronglifts.com
Winter Temperature Fun Facts
- The lowest temperature ever recorded was at Vostok Station in Antarctica. On July 21, 1983, it was -98.2 degrees Celsius (-128.6 Fahrenheit) there!
- Some of the other coldest places in the world are Russia (specifically Siberia), Finland, and Mongolia.
- The months December, January, and February are winter months in the Northern Hemisphere, but in the Southern Hemisphere (for example, in Australia) the coldest months of the year are actually June, July, and August!
- At -40 degrees Celsius (which is also -40 degrees Fahrenheit), the condensation from your breath can actually freeze.
Vostok Station is the coldest place in the world.Courtesy of southpolestation.com
Winter Animal Fun Facts
- Depending on the season, some animals actually change color! For example, the arctic fox's fur changes to white during the winter so that it can better blend in with the snow.
- Monarch butterflies actually migrate to avoid cold weather; starting in early fall, they start their long journey south, and arrive at a very specific location in Mexico in November. They start heading back up north in the spring-time.
- Many animals, such as the black bear, hibernate during the winter. In the winter, a black bear's heartbeat can slow to 8 beats a minute (from the usual 40 or so) and it can go as long as 100 days without food!
The arctic fox actually changes color depending on the season!Courtesy of edmonton.ca
Winter Plant Fun Facts
- Though we usual think of winter months as being quite barren of plant life, there are plants, like the Chinese plum blossom (the national flower of the Republic of China), that bloom in chilly weather. Because the flower appears just before spring, it is a symbol of hope and perseverance.
- Deciduous trees lose their leaves in winter to conserve much needed water, but evergreen trees have a different method. Evergreen trees often have needles or waxy leaves, which don't try out as easily. Thus, they are able to stay green and survive the winter.
- Holly has been traditionally used as a decorative element during the holiday season, but why? Some have speculated that northern European Pagans used holly in ceremonies because it is a symbol of rejuvenation.
The Chinese plum blossom blooms beautifully in the winter time. Courtesy of arts.cultural-china.com
As you can see, there's a lot we can learn about what goes when the temperature is chilly! Have a great winter!
Have Your Say!
What's your favorite thing about winter? Share with our Kidzworld readers in the comments section!
Related Articles
