Brought to you by Little Leopard (age 9)
Animals that can predict the weather
Here you will find lots of animals that can predict the weather and natural disasters.
Dogs
Dogs can predict earthquakes a little bit before, they can sense it. When they can sense it they get up and start barking repeatedly and they try to lead you out of the house. They can feel air pressure drops in their ears like we do on an airplane, and they can feel the difference in weather on their fur which means they can feel weather changes before we do.
Sharks
Sharks can predict bad weather and they react to it by swimming out to deeper ocean waters.
FUN FACT: You might think that sharks attack humans, but actually we're more likely to hurt them than they are to hurt us.
Ants
Before it's about to rain, ants head back to their nest. If they have a leaf they're carrying then they will also take that with them.
Frogs
Before it's about to rain, frogs croak louder. If it is about to rain, and you are near a frog you have a 75% chance of hearing it croak louder.
Birds
Birds head back to their nests before it starts raining. You will think that the birds are just flying around but they are probably flying back towards their nests.
Did you know that birds prefer it when it's raining because if it is too hot then the sticks holding the nest together will fall apart and the birds nest will fall. Sometimes when the chicks have hatched and they are still in the nest sometimes they will push each other out.
BONUS NATURE WEATHER FACT
Daisies
Daisies can predict the weather even though they are a flower. They react to the weather by curling up and if you go on a walk after it has rained, if you see any daisies then have a look.
FUN FACT: Did you know that you can find crab spiders on giant daisies and also roses?
Try a Nature Adventure
If the weather is being kind (or if you're feeling particularly hardy) then why not try one of these Oxfordshire Nature Adventures. Or head here for more inspiration
May 2026 · Nature Adventures · Parks and Gardens
Stonor Park
A fun-filled day spent exploring the adventure playground, spotting deer, getting up close with birds of prey and strolling round the gardens and arboretum.
April 2026 · Nature Adventures · Nature Reserves
Cothill Fen
A long walk with a distinctly Jurasic vibe through the most diverse area in Oxfordshire, taking in FIVE nature reserves. We saw solitary bees, fossils, woodpeckers and some impressive geology.
April 2026 · Nature Adventures · Nature Reserves
Thrupp Lake
A gorgeous walk from Radley Station to Abingdon under the sounding bridge, around the lake and through Barton Fields, hearing an astonishing number of birds.