When winter arrives, daylight and food is scarce. Hunkering down to avoid the cold probably seems quite appealing. In the animal kingdom, many species have adapted to do just that by hibernating.
You may think of bears when you think of hibernation. But, bears don’t count as true hibernators. Rather they enter a state called “torpor,” a hibernation-like state that’s more akin to a deep sleep. While in this state, a bear’s temperature doesn’t drop drastically, and they can walk somewhat easily. True hibernation consists of a slower heart rate, reduced metabolism, and lowered temperature. So if bears don’t hibernate, what species do?
What Is Hibernation?
Hibernation is not just a mere retreat from the cold; it's an ingenious adaptation that several animal species have developed to conserve energy and survive periods when food is hard to come by.
As winter grips their habitats, some animals enter a state of deep dormancy, slowing down their bodily functions to a bare minimum. This extraordinary process allows them to make it through the winter on stored energy reserves, emerging in spring ready to resume their active lives.
