Ready for
a Nap
Did you know that Ohio
has only three "true" hibernating animals?
They are the bat (all species), the groundhog and the jumping mouse.
Others
may go into periods of dormancy but don't have the significant
metabolic decrease these animal have.
A groundhog's heart rate goes from 80 beats per minute to four,
while its body temperature goes from 98 degrees Fahrenheit to 38
degrees. Even true hibernators do get up every few weeks to nibble
on food and use the restroom.
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Ticks are found in overgrown lots, farm fields, along weedy roadsides, and at
the edges of paths and hiking trails.
In the spring and summer, common adult ticks wait on vegetation for a suitable
host to pass by. When a person or animal brushes against the vegetation, the
tick will cling to fur or clothing and begin to crawl upwards, seeking a place
to attach.
The ticks most commonly found in our parks range in size from the head of a pin
to a pencil eraser, so they are easy to spot.
Where possible, Preservation Parks staff members mow “buffer” strips along the
outside edges of trails to lessen the chances of walkers picking up a tick.
Also, using insect repellent can help keep you from going home with a tick!
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