Why Snow Is Turning Blue in Some Yards Right Now in Minnesota

If you’ve noticed some strange blue splashes dotting the snow in your yard in Minnesota lately, no, you're not seeing things. It may look bizarre, a little alarming, or completely out of place, but the real reason behind it is far more natural than you might expect.

Living here in the Land of 10,000 Snow-and-Ice-Covered Lakes, we're used to seeing snow that's various colors. First, as it's falling and immediately after, our snow here in the Bold North is fresh and white.

Then, after it's been around for a while, we sometimes see the snow that's been left in parking lots and on streets take on dirtier shades of grey or brown, as it picks up dirt and grime from vehicles and other sources.

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And, of course, if you have dogs, wise Minnesotans know that the snow in your yard sometimes turns a telltale yellow color-- after your canine companions have, uh, done their job outside, right? (And we all know, never eat yellow snow!)

But what about if your snow has turned blue? It's a phenomenon that's been reported across parts of our fair state this winter, and the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board has figured out what's causing it: Rabbits. And, more specifically, the Eastern cottontail.

The Science Behind Minnesota's Mysterious Blue Snow Phenomenon

Well-hydrated rabbits, to be exact. According to the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board's social media accounts, the bluish color in your snow is likely rabbit pee, which changed color after having been exposed to sunlight:

Eastern cottontails (the most common rabbit in Minnesota-- you've probably seen them running around yards at dusk) sometimes eat buckthorn branches and bark, especially toward the end of winter. Buckthorn contains a phytochemical that turns urine blue after being exposed to sunlight.

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So, as it turns out, it's not aliens, and it's not a chemical spill in your yard-- it's just the leftover present given to you by a thirsty Eastern cottontail rabbit, who likely also enjoyed a snack of some buckthorn and needed to take care of business!

You can check out exactly what this blue-snow phenomenon looks like below. And while this marking in the snow, and the animal that caused it, is nothing to worry about, that's not always the case. Keep scrolling to check out the 12 deadliest animals that also call Minnesota home!