01/29/2026
Interesting 🧐
The Brick Hack: Saving the "Thirsty Ones." 🧱💧
In winter, liquid water is scarce, and dehydration impacts wildlife more than starvation.
🛑 The Problem: Ice Prison
- Birds lose 10% of body weight daily through breathing.
- Squirrels and chipmunks can't access frozen surfaces.
- Rabbits eat snow, risking hypothermia.
- Opossums and raccoons trek miles for water.
- Deer crowd at unfrozen spots, spreading disease.
✅ The Solution: Passive Solar Heating
- Place a dark brick in a shallow dish with 1-2 inches of water, catching morning sunlight.
- The brick warms the water, delaying freezing.
Why It Works:
- Dark bricks can reach over 50°F even in 25°F air.
- Water stays liquid longer, accessible to wildlife.
Who Uses It:
- Birds (for drinking and bathing)
- Squirrels and chipmunks
- Rabbits
- Opossums and raccoons
- Even foxes!
🔋 Energy Math:
Drinking liquid water = energy gain; eating snow = energy loss.
💡 Bonus Tip: Float a dark tennis ball in the water to resist freezing!
