Many plants begin to lose their leaves to save energy for the winter. Some trees, like oak,horsechestnut and ash trees, have leaves that dramatically change colour before falling off. Even though trees lose their leaves, they do not die. They are saving energy and will grow again once spring arrives.

Autumn is also a busy time for many plants and animals as they prepare for the cooler winter. Many animals use the autumn to gather and store food for the winter. Hibernating animals, such as bats, hedgehogs and ground squirrels, eat in order to gain weight and live off their stored fat through the winter. Many animals grow thicker coats and gain many layers of fat to prepare for the oncoming winter.

The squirrelare fast tree climbersare mostly vegetarian, eating nuts and seedshide nuts for later use, and find warm homes to burrow in during wintersquirrels communicate with chirps

Many fruits and vegetables grow throughout the summer and by the time fall arrives they are ready to be harvested, or picked, before the winter.

Migrating animals, such as the swallow, travel hundreds of miles to warmer places where food will be more readily available.

Autumn days can be warm with cool breezes, Many people wear pants and light sweaters and jackets, depending on where they live. Fall days become shorter as winter approaches. Often we begin to light a fire in Autumn as the nights can be chilly.