How can a creature as small as a woolly bear survive the cold and ice of winter?
Once the woolly worm has found its hibernation spot, it will create a natural organic “antifreeze”, called cyroprotectant, that protects the interior of its cells. Everything else may freeze, but the woolly worm will still survive. The caterpillar is also protected by its shelter, as it always chooses wisely its places to hide. It is able to remain in its “frozen” state until around May when warm temperatures will induce it to become active again and then progress to the next life stage. Is it true that a woolly bear caterpillar can predict the weather? The typical banded woolly worm has sections of black hairs at each end, and a section of orange-brown hairs in the middle. A lot of folklore surrounds the caterpillar, and legend says that the more black on a banded woolly worm, the more severe the winter will be. There are even some folks who believe that each segment on the body (usually thirteen) represents one week of winter. Orange segments predict mild weeks, and black ones tell u
