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Hibernation: What You Should Know

In winter it is cold outside and there is little food. Therefore, many animals hibernate during this period. For example, they retreat to a cave to sleep. The body temperature drops, and breathing and heartbeat slow down. In this way, the animals use less energy and can sleep for several months without eating. Most of the time, they have already built up a store of fat in the fall, from which they live in the winter.

Examples of hibernators are hedgehogs, dormice, marmots, and bats. Other animals such as bears or squirrels, on the other hand, only “hibernate”. The body temperature does not drop as much as during hibernation. The animals wake up several times in between and lie down differently. While bears can do without food, squirrels have to eat again and again during hibernation. To do this, they use supplies of nuts and other fruits that they have accumulated in the fall.

Cold-blooded animals such as insects, amphibians, and some reptiles are referred to as hibernation or cold rigidity. In these animals, the body temperature drops so much that they can no longer move. You cannot be woken up during this time either. Everything living in the animal is set almost to zero. The arctic frog lives in the northern United States and Canada. He can even partially freeze himself without dying.

Mary Allen

Written by Mary Allen

Hello, I'm Mary! I've cared for many pet species including dogs, cats, guinea pigs, fish, and bearded dragons. I also have ten pets of my own currently. I've written many topics in this space including how-tos, informational articles, care guides, breed guides, and more.

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