Seasonal changes bring a variety of challenges for animals, requiring them to adapt in order to survive extreme conditions like winter cold or summer heat. In preparation for winter, many animals enter hibernation, a state of reduced metabolic activity that allows them to conserve energy. Bears are well-known hibernators, storing up body fat during the fall that sustains them through the cold months when food is scarce. Some amphibians and reptiles also enter a hibernation-like state, burrowing into the ground to avoid freezing temperatures.

Other animals, such as birds, migrate to warmer areas during winter months. Migration requires incredible endurance and navigation skills, as birds travel thousands of miles to escape the harsh winter conditions and find food. Monarch butterflies, for instance, migrate from North America to Mexico, an impressive journey for such delicate creatures.

In summer, desert animals like camels and kangaroo rats have adapted to conserve water and manage extreme heat. Camels can go for days without water and have specialized adaptations, such as humps that store fat, allowing them to survive in arid conditions. These seasonal adaptations illustrate the resilience and resourcefulness of animals, showcasing the incredible ways life on Earth adapts to changing environments.