Animal Behaviour in Wet Weather

1. Animal Behaviour in Wet Weather Prep Science Unit 3 Weather Watch

2. Can Animals Predict the Rain? Many animals and insects predict the arrival of summer or rain with their changing behaviour, because they sense that the days are getting longer or hotter.

3. Animal Behaviour Before Rain • Cattle often lie down before it rains to save a dry spot for themselves • Flies can become slow to move before it rains • Ants become more active and move out of the nest days before it rains • Bees and butterflies disappear from our gardens before heavy rain

4. Animal Behaviour Before Rain Some other animals who predict the rain are • Frogs who croak louder before it starts to rain. • Birds who fly low usually mean that it will rain soon. • Crocodiles make their nests higher up the banks of a river before heavy rain. • Kangaroos, wallabies and emus will have fewer young if a drought is coming.

5. Pets at home and rain Did you know some household pets can also tell when it will rain? • Cats will often wash behind their ears when rain is coming. • Dogs will sometimes sleep on their backs before rain instead of on their stomachs

6. How can you tell if its going to rain? • How to you know it’s going to rain? • What things can you do at home to keep warm and dry during the rain?

7. Don’t forget your umbrella! Animals look for shelter in the rain – so must you. If you’re going to be outside in wet weather, don’t forget your umbrella!