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Can the Woolly Bear Caterpillar Predict The Coming Winter Weather?
By Skipper the Door County Otter and Sponsored by Sound Expressions
Oct 12, 2011 - 8:45:00 AM
Dear Skipper: I have a nature question for you, since I know you love the outdoors. The other day I saw a brown and black caterpillar crawliing along our driveway. I'm not sure where he was going, but he was moving fast!
My Dad came out of the house to see this little creature. He said it was a Woolly Bear caterpillar and that they can predict how bad the winter will be by their colors. But then he didn't know how you can tell.
So how can you tell how the winter will be just by their color?
Love, Brian Age 10 Sturgeon Bay
Dear Brian: I have seen some of these little caterpillars too. They look furry like me!
This type of caterpillar has segments of black and reddish-brown. It's actually the larval form of the Isabella tiger moth. They hatch from eggs laid by their Mom during the warm summer months.
During fall, the woolies look around for snugly places to spend the winter. That's why your little guy was scurrying across the driveway ... not a great place to hide and burrow in! Probably under bark or logs would be a place where these creatures like to winter.
In the spring, the woolies spin their cocoon and then change into a moth!
According to legend and some scientists, the narrower the brown segment is, the harsher the winter will be! The brown part is in the middle of the caterpillar. If your guy has a wide brown segment, the winter will supposedly be more mild.
This website is kid-safe, but always make sure it's ok with your parent or teacher when using the internet to go to websites.
I hope you have a great winter, Brian.
Your Friend, Skipper the Door County Otter
Skipper's
expertise is in life outdoors, but he will also address questions about
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