Thunderstorms and animals

drizzellla · ‎03-14-2010

Last night there was quite a thunderstorm that blew through our area.

This morning my husband said that at least our dog, that passed, didn't have to deal with the storm. Our dog did not do well with thunder. And he was in the house and we closed all windows.

I am looking at all the critters that are now around our bird feeder. How do the squirrels and the birds handle the thunder storm? A squirrel has it's nest high up in the tree. They are not protected from the rain. And they are out in the elements hearing the thunder.

Trix · ‎03-16-2010

I can't specifically say how they protect themselves, but whatever they do it works because the next day there they are back at their normal routine. You can also tell impending weather by the behavior of the animals. Even if it's sunny and not a storm cloud in sight, the animals are scurrying around differently when their keen senses detect storms coming. Humans usually can't forecast the weather using their senses (unless you're someone who has some achy parts that dictate weather). Farmers and people who have to work outdoors may be an exception to that because over the years they do develop some instincts about the weather that is sometimes as reliable as the radar of meteorologists.

Sweetbay magnolia · ‎04-14-2013

That's true, @Trix . My living put me outdoors every day for 25 years and you do learn to read the skies (you have to, if you don't want to get caught unawares) and even the shake of the leaves, the smell of the air, and the absence of noise from the animal kingdom are strong cues as to how to respond.

You just move fast to be out of harms way, and to protect any assets you might own that are unprotected.

We had a wild storm yesterday and my usually stoic dog was a bit concerned, so there must have been enough electrical charge in the air to raise his hackles. We went walking right after the worst had passed (I figured most would be hunkered down indoors so we could have the place to ourselves). It was fascinating to see resluts of the quick intensity of the rainfall and to watch the sky for further action. That's called being alive!

Wild animals know nothing beyond survival. We attribute emotions to them and I suppose that's not misplaced. Emotions drive rational behavior. I contend we survive because of emotions, which are probably hormonally based.

Cogito ergo sum

Shanus · ‎05-17-2010

@drizzellla wrote:
Last night there was quite a thunderstorm that blew through our area.

This morning my husband said that at least our dog, that passed, didn't have to deal with the storm. Our dog did not do well with thunder. And he was in the house and we closed all windows.

I am looking at all the critters that are now around our bird feeder. How do the squirrels and the birds handle the thunder storm? A squirrel has it's nest high up in the tree. They are not protected from the rain. And they are out in the elements hearing the thunder.

@drizzellla We've had lightening and storms the last few nights. I may have mentioned before that on non-storm days or nights, I play a CD of thunderstorms and rain to fall asleep....soothing to me and better than white noise. Since my dogs have slept in our bed, they've become accustomed to the storm's sounds and when a real storm hits, they are not bothered at all.

Venezia · ‎03-09-2010

We know that a thunderstorm is approaching, even if we can't see or hear any sign of it, when our youngest tabby cat suddenly goes into the small hallway and hunkers down against the wall. Even his favorite food won't get him to budge.

It took us a while to realize this behavior for what it is, because our other two cats aren't the least bit bothered by storms. Now, when we see him doing that, we know a storm is imminent.

In the past we've had dogs and storms always upset them. (Ditto for fireworks!)