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In autumn, animals respond to changing food supplies and conditions in different ways: some migrate, some store food, some seek shelter, and others breed or spawn. There is no single autumn routine shared by all wildlife. The examples below focus mainly on Britain, so the species and seasonal patterns may differ elsewhere.
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Autumn is a season of change, not a universal countdown to hibernation. An animal’s behavior depends on its species, habitat, and local conditions. Some move to another area; some stay active and find food; others shelter or enter a less active state. For some, autumn is also a time to reproduce.
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BBC Earth’s account of Britain’s autumn wildlife describes several of these patterns. Thinking about movement, food, winter activity, and reproduction makes it easier to compare what different animals are doing.
How do animals find or save food?
Squirrels and jays cache food
In Britain, grey squirrels bury nuts and jays hide acorns. Caching food means storing it for later, rather than eating everything as soon as it is found. BBC Earth describes these behaviors as part of the autumn activity of both species.
Not every animal stores food
Food caching is one strategy, not a rule for all wildlife. Other animals may keep searching for food, move to places where it is available, or rely on energy stored in their bodies. The approach varies by species and habitat.
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Do animals migrate or stay where they are?
Some birds migrate, while many animals remain in their local area. Migration is a movement from one region to another; it is different from moving around a familiar habitat to find food or shelter. BBC Earth’s Britain-focused account discusses migratory birds alongside animals that remain active locally.
Whether an animal moves depends on its needs and the conditions where it lives. It is more accurate to ask what a particular species does in a particular place than to assume all animals leave when the weather turns colder.
Is every animal that rests in winter hibernating?
No. Winter inactivity can take different forms. Some insects and butterflies find sheltered places; BBC Earth describes some butterflies and moths entering torpor, a state of reduced activity. Torpor is not a synonym for hibernation, and the term should not be used for every animal that becomes less active or hides from cold conditions.
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Other animals continue to look for food or use different ways to get through winter. When describing an animal, use the specific behavior known for that species rather than labeling all winter rest as hibernation.
Which animals breed or spawn in autumn?
Autumn behavior is not only about surviving winter. In Britain, BBC Earth describes red deer rutting, grey seals giving birth, and salmon and sea trout spawning. These are geographically specific examples; they should not be treated as a schedule that applies to the same species everywhere.
Breeding and spawning are seasonal purposes distinct from migration, food storage, and sheltering. One season can bring different activities for different animals in the same region.
How can children observe autumn wildlife?
Scholastic’s November 2025 Let’s Find Out issue includes squirrel-watching as a hands-on activity and identifies seasonal animal adaptation as a learning objective. A simple observation can focus on what an animal is doing, where it is, and what might be changing around it.
- Watch from a respectful distance and avoid disturbing animals or their shelters.
- Notice whether an animal is searching for food, carrying or hiding it, moving through the area, or resting.
- Record the date, place, weather, and what you observed. A notebook is optional; careful attention is enough.
- If you draw or paint what you see, note the animal’s habitat and activity as well as its appearance.
Local wildlife guides can help identify species, because British examples and seasonal timing may not match the animals near you. Usborne’s autumn quicklinks also introduce children to animal preparation, hibernation, and migration.
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