Snowbound: Animals of Winter

Winter can present a harsh, unforgiving landscape, yet many animals thrive in the frigid weather. Hosted by Scottish wildlife filmmaker Gordon Buchanan, director Sally Thomsen's PBS-aired Nature documentary serves up an appreciation of animals and birds who have adapted to these cold, snowy environments, in temperatures that can plunge to 50 degrees below zero. Nature has evolved to facilitate survival in the Arctic. Here, wolves hunt in packs to increase the chances of a successful kill. Polar bears—one of the fattest animals on earth—store food to provide an insulating layer for the long winter. These bears have a keen sense of smell, detecting seals through heavy ice, and they are later able to retain heat in hibernation, not eating, drinking, or urinating for months at a time. Reindeer have flexible feet, which spread out to act like snowshoes. The Arctic fox's coat changes and thickens, and they have refined the habit of pouncing or "mousing" to break ice and snatch prey. The lynx has exceptional vision, while owls use their feathers for silent flight to make surprise kills. Viewers will also learn that seals use their teeth to strip away ice and keep breathing holes open, and that penguins form heat in group "huddles," constantly shifting positions in ways not always visible to the human eye. Above all, there is the element of animal cunning, often learned over time, exhibited here by otters, voles, and weasels, both above and below ground. Enhanced by outstanding wildlife photography, this informative nature documentary is recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)