Daylight is short. The air is chilly and we wake up to icy windows and maybe even a sprinkling of snow. But this is a great time to bundle up and venture outdoors to enjoy wildlife.
You don’t have to go far. The Western North Carolina Nature Center is an ideal place to view animals during the winter months when there are fewer crowds, and many creatures are more active than during the summer months. As an added bonus, the winter landscape, devoid of heavy foliage, makes wildlife stand out more clearly. “It’s a magical time of year,” says Chris Gentile, director of the Nature Center, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. “Especially in January, after the holidays, it’s a quieter time and a great opportunity to see native wildlife in a winter habitat.”
Typically, Asheville does not have many snowy days, but, according to Gentile, when there is an accumulation on the ground, the Nature Center transforms into a winter wonderland, a special treat for young and old alike. “It’s an absolutely wonderful sight to watch our animals play around on snow-covered grounds,” he says.
Winter-active mammals rely on fur and fat to keep them warm. Beginning in late fall, the Nature Center’s wolves, cougars, bobcats and coyotes instinctively grow added layers of thick, insulating coats. Some grow two types of fur: a downy undercoat and a coarser overcoat, double coverings that fend off the chill even on the coldest days. The Nature Center’s farm animals, including hairy sheep, goats and Willy, the Sicilian donkey, similarly bulk up. And the cold never bothers Obi-Wan, the resident river otter, whose layers of dense, waterproof fur protect him on icy days…