Community Lens for July 27

Jim and Sheila Conway of Roswell submitted this photo of deer in snow. Deer start to prepare for winter months before the temperatures begin to drop. They do this by storing fat around internal organs and under their skin which insulates and provides energy reserves for the lean months ahead.Their coat plays a major role in keeping them warm. Coarse, hollow, dark guard hairs cover soft, woolly underfur. Guard hairs can absorb solar energy but it’s the underfur that provides the most insulative value. Sebaceous glands in the skin produce a water-repellent oil that coats hair filaments as well. Deer decrease movement activity thereby lowering their metabolic rate and voluntarily reduce food intake. Deer also seek shelter in conifer stands. These areas have reduced wind speeds and snow pack and provide overhead thermal cover which means higher night time temperatures.