Geese sleeping on a frozen lake... Aren't they cold?!

I'm sure you've seen a gaggle of geese resting on a frozen body of water and wondered to yourself, how in the world are they not freezing?!

Well, it turns out Canadian geese use frozen water as a rest spot. Because they thrive off of fresh water, geese must search for water that isn't frozen solid. Imagine you were on a road trip from Colorado to California, you'd need to stop for water, too.

canada geese on frozen water in colorado

And they actually aren't cold..... Canadian geese are built to stay warm. They have insulated underbellies, and enough feathers, generally between 20,000 and 25,000, to keep their upper body temperature around 104°F (40°C). They also have a unique circulation system in their feet which allows warm blood to flow, preventing them from freezing--- which is why we usually spot them with their feet tucked underneath. Clever little birds, they are!

So next time you see a goose in Colorado sitting on a frozen pond, share your newfound knowledge with a friend!!