As warmer weather conditions have swept across south central Iowa, its effects have made an impact on local wildlife. Marion County Naturalist Marla Mertz says that while warmer temperatures have brought wildlife to the area, many animals in torpor and hibernation have been impacted by the lack of colder conditions.

“A lot of our seasonal changes have seemed to have occurred early just because of that nice weather. When it comes to wildlife, torpor, and hibernation, it’s a little hard on them because we don’t have a lot of true hibernators. Most of them are in torpor, where they sleep for just a few weeks and then they get up to find food and then they go back to sleep again.”

Hear more from Marla Mertz on an upcoming In Touch with South Central Iowa.