March Towards Awakening: How Wildlife in Southern Missouri Embraces this Month.

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As the snow begins to melt and temperatures slowly rise, Spring signals a significant shift in the natural world around us. For wildlife in Southern Missouri, this season of birth and rejuvenance marks a period of hustle and bustle as animals begin to come out of hibernation, search for food, relocate to new habitats, and start their breeding cycles.

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Springtime brings the bullfrog’s chorus to life! With warmer waters, male bullfrogs croak louder than ever to attract mates. Their iconic calls echo through ponds, marking the season of love and new life!

1. Emerging from Hibernation.

One of the most noticeable signs of spring is the awakening of animals that have spent the colder months in hibernation. Hibernation is a survival strategy for many species, allowing them to conserve energy during the harsh winter months when food is scarce. In Southern Missouri, creatures like groundhogs, chipmunks, and various species of bats are emerging from their long winter slumbers. Some species of frogs and turtles that hibernate underwater begin to surface in the early spring, signaling the start of a new season of activity.

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Famous Punxsutawney Phil isn’t the only forecaster! As temperatures rise, wild groundhogs emerge from their burrows, signaling warmer days ahead. When you see them out and about, spring is finally here!

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As the flowers bloom, so do the red foxes! Did you know that in spring, red foxes are especially active with their playful kits, hopping through fields and learning to hunt? It’s a season of new beginnings for these clever creatures!

2. Mating and Birth Season Begins.

Spring signals reproduction in many species. Mammals such as deer, foxes, and rabbits have slowly evolved to breed during this time because it gives their offspring the best chance to thrive. The warmer weather means more abundant food sources, and with the long days, young animals have more time to grow and develop before the next winter season. For example, white-tailed deer usually give birth in late May or June, allowing their fawns to grow and gain strength during the summer months when food is plentiful. Rabbits and squirrels, however, tend to have multiple litters, often starting as early as March, so they can take advantage of the season’s early growth. For many birds, such as robins and bluebirds, March is the time to begin courtship and build nests. The early arrival of these birds provides them with ample time to prepare for laying eggs before the peak of summer heat arrives.

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For birds that mate for life, Eastern Bluebirds do not share the nesting activities equally. The female alone builds the nest in less than a week. The Eastern Bluebird is Missouri's state bird.

3. Food Availability and Foraging.

As the ground begins to thaw and plants start to bloom, food becomes more available for wildlife in March. This is especially important after the lean winter months. Herbivores, such as deer, rabbits, and squirrels, start grazing on fresh green shoots, grasses, and buds, while insects become more active, providing a new food source for birds and amphibians.

This is a busy time for scavengers as well. Coyotes, raccoons, and opossums, for example, are on the hunt for any food scraps that remain from the winter. Many of these animals have adapted to diverse diet, foraging for everything from small mammals to berries and leftover human food.

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With a face only its mother could love, the opossum is a fantastic rodent killer and will strive to keep snakes away from gardens and homes.

4. Relocating and Nesting Habits.

With the increasing warmth and longer days, many animals begin to relocate or expand their territories. For example, raccoons may move back into areas they’ve previously used for denning, while deer and other mammals might begin to explore new territory in search of better feeding grounds. Birds, too, are moving—many migratory species are returning to Southern Missouri after spending the winter months in warmer climates. The arrival of these migratory species marks an important ecological event, as they help pollinate plants and control insect populations.

This is also the time when birds of all kinds begin to build nests. The busy activity of nest-building in March can be observed in many areas. Woodpeckers drill into trees, robins build nests in the crooks of branches, and ducks look for secure locations near water to raise their young. Even smaller creatures like insects begin to lay their eggs, setting the stage for a fresh generation of critters as the warmer months progress.

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With its size rival to the American Crow, the Pileated Woodpecker is large and the male shows off a beautiful red crest. If you listen closely in Southern Missouri springtime forests, you will hear a loud pecking on the surfaces of trees, also known as drumming, which is a mating ritual that tells potential females that the Pilated Woodpecker male is ready for love.

5. Increased Activity and Habitat Expansion.

For many species, the increase in daylight hours and the rising temperatures signal that it's time to expand their habitats and search for mates. Rabbits, for instance, will often become more active in March as they establish and defend their territories.

Predators, such as foxes and coyotes, are also on the move. They are actively hunting to feed themselves and their growing families, which may lead to increased sightings as these animals roam the countryside or urban areas in search of food. This increased activity is a natural response to the changing environment, and it’s crucial for maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.

6. Ponds Come Alive.

Perhaps one of the most magical transformations in nature during March happens in and around ponds. As the weather warms, the once-still waters begin to come alive with activity. 

Frogs and toads are among the first to announce spring with their distinctive calls. The ponds, which were quiet throughout the winter months, suddenly echo with the croaks and ribbits of male frogs calling to attract females. Wood frogs, for example, are often one of the first species to appear, often thawing out of frozen ground just as the first warm days of March hit. These early arrivals lay their eggs in the vernal pools—temporary ponds that form from melting snow or rain—and provide food for a variety of animals, including fish, insects, and birds.

In addition to frogs, many species of turtles begin to emerge from their winter hibernation as well. Painted turtles, snapping turtles, and other species start to crawl out of the mud and bask in the warmth of the spring sun. Their activity helps regulate the pond’s ecosystem, as they often eat aquatic vegetation, which helps control the growth of algae.

As well, fish are more active in March. As the water warms, species like bass, bluegill, and catfish become more active, moving in search of food and beginning their own reproductive cycles. Many fish species begin spawning in the shallows of ponds, adding another layer of life to the thriving aquatic ecosystems.

Finally, insects are a crucial part of the pond’s revival. Mosquito larvae, water beetles, and dragonflies are just a few of the species that reappear in March. These insects serve as a food source for fish, amphibians, and birds, creating a balanced food web in the aquatic environment. 

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A fantastic view of a tadpole collection! It takes about 12 to 16 weeks for a tadpole to turn into a frog. This process is called metamorphosis. In the early spring, it's pretty easy to notice their continuous peeping noise coming from ponds and streams. 

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Pictured is the female black widow. Male black widows do not usually have a red hourglass marking on their abdomen. Instead, they have yellow, red, and white bands and spots on their backs. Black widows live through the winter as immature individuals, develop into adults in the spring and die in late July. Female black widows have been known to consume male black widows once mating is complete, but contrary to popular belief, this doesn't happen 100 percent of the time.