Do other creatures know when a Hurricane is about to hit?

[Grease Monkey]

If only we had a Dr. Dolittle, we could probably find out more accurate intensity forecasts from the wildlife.

[TSmith274]

As was mentioned... yes, absolutely. Birds dissapear well ahead of a storm. Happened for Katrina in New Orleans for sure. I wish we had some science to back this up, because it definitely happens. Perhaps one of you meteorology students could investigate this for your thesis if you go for your PhD. I think it'd be interesting.

[brunota2003]

Most likely...yes...a few days before Ophelia impacted my area, I happend to comment that I hadnt seen any birds, not even a seagull, flying around for about a day...which for this area is very unusual...then a couple days later Ophelia hit...
EDIT: I wish I could really remember for Isabel...and I really do not have any video from a couple of days before the storm...I could probably do my 11th grade research paper on this...

[BayouVenteux]

I also read a story about Audery where all the crawfish were walking out of the bayous. Cant verify this one however

True indeed. From the Lake Charles NWS Louisiana Hurricane History webpages http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lch/research/lalate20hur.php:

The most curious aspect of the storm was the exodus of wildlife preceding it. On the evening before landfall, thousands of crawfish were seen fleeing the marshes around Cameron. A few enterprising locals decided to collect them and put them in their freezer, unaware of the significance of this event. Needless to say, these crawfish were never brought to a boil the following day, as planned.

[brunota2003]

Oh...I have now started researching this interesting phenomenon with the animals and have a thesis down (which will probably change) and a rough outline (will also probably change as I get new info and shave out other stuff) now if only I can actually keep my mind to this paper and also find some good stuff on it... I hope to get it complete and use it as my 11th grade research paper this coming school year...that way it is already done and out of the way

[wayoutfront]

I can assure you

If I see all the critters running in the same direction... I will be right behind em

[max]

I can assure you

If I see all the critters running in the same direction... I will be right behind em

Sure but what if your sleeping?

[Grease Monkey]

I can assure you

If I see all the critters running in the same direction... I will be right behind em

How will you fit through the little cracks in the wall?

[raindrops68]

We have had an increase in ants coming in our house. Dont know if its due to a possible something heading our way or from all the rain we have had the past two weeks.

[SouthFloridawx]

Well no birds outside right now but, I'll keep checkin on that.

[BatzVI]

The iguanas here go bonkers eating here before a storm, then disappear in the bush and trees....today I haven't seen or heard a single sugarbird or thrushy bird....very eerie how quiet it is......

[rainyday]

I live near a swamp that I had to pass on my way to work and when
Opal came through there were bull frogs all over the road (hundreds
of them). Well I no longer work there but remembered them and when
Ivan came through I went back to the same location and sure enough
there they were. I turned around in order to avoid them, but went back
the next day and hundreds were flattened on the blacktop. It was almost
as if they committed suicide.

[aquaholic901]

I remember my dog acting funny when Jeanne came through. This was the night before when they still thought she was going to go north of us, I remember thinking to myself that might not be the case & sure enough, we woke up the next morning in the midst of a hurricane (a weak one, but a hurricane nonetheless). He also freaks out during thunderstorms and won't come out from under the bed, that's mostly just due to the thunder though.

I definitely have noticed that there are no birds before a big storm, that is fairly obvious to anyone who pays attention. If a major hurricane was threatening us you can bet I'd be paying attention to what the wildlife was doing.

[KFDM Meteorologist]

3 days before Rita our Chief Met. had 3 snakes on his porch where he's never had before.

[EmeraldCoast1]

Yes. I think even without hard evidence from scientific research, most of us have witnessed an animal or animals behaving strangely when bad weather is approaching.

Last year, one day before Dennis came ashore here, my neighbors dog began behaving unusual. After the dog had boarded up his doghouse, he began drinking heavily and stayed drunk for most of the next 24 hours.

[KFDM Meteorologist]

It's true folks.

[melhow]

Ha! Frigate Birds 06!!! When (and if) you spot one of these suckers flying over you this season, I suggest you double-check your hurricane kit and gas up the car...

In all seriousness, we just ran off three black snakes last night. They were lounging on our back lanai. Last time we saw black snakes in multiples was circa a few hours before Charley...

Creepy...

[Canelaw99]

Last year, one day before Dennis came ashore here, my neighbors dog began behaving unusual. After the dog had boarded up his doghouse, he began drinking heavily and stayed drunk for most of the next 24 hours.

my kinda dog!

[decgirl66]

Yes. I think even without hard evidence from scientific research, most of us have witnessed an animal or animals behaving strangely when bad weather is approaching.

Last year, one day before Dennis came ashore here, my neighbors dog began behaving unusual. After the dog had boarded up his doghouse, he began drinking heavily and stayed drunk for most of the next 24 hours.

[White Cap]

Absolutely animals and critters know. I posted last year before Cindy and Katrina how the crickets were REALLY acting up - being so much louder than normal. Also - the lizards were running all over the place, like an invasion of them scurrying to hide! When I start to hear loud crickets again, I know it means something is coming. Also - a member of the NOPD reported the day before Katrina that rats were coming out of everywhere and running along the streets in the French Quarter to higher ground during the day! Animals know... even roaches, unfortunately. Someone posted last year about ants trying to get into cars too, which is another sign - looking for higher ground. My little Maltese just sort of hid.