Hibernation is a natural function carried out annually by endotherms: organisms that maintain their body temperature based on their metabolic output rather than the ambient temperature, otherwise known as “warm-blooded” animals. There are several triggers for hibernation, including changes in ambient temperature and seasonal changes, but the depth and length of the hibernation period depends largely on the animal’s overall condition and species. Everyone learns at a young age that bears hibernate, but check out five more animals that hibernate under the cover of winter.
1. Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs are animals that hibernate one to six months out of the year. They experience extreme drops in heart rate, up to 90 percent. If their body temperature drops too low they wake to increase their heartbeat and restore their body temperature, and then return to winter sleep.
2. Wood Frog
Wood frogs hibernate under rocks, leaves or inside logs, and appear to be frozen. Freezing weather stops their heart, along with their breathing. Warm weather restores their heartbeat and the use of their lungs.
3. Bats
Bats are creatures that hibernate, but can wake quickly. During hibernation a bat’s heart rate may drop from 400 beats per minute to around 25 per minute and its breathing may drop to almost one breath an hour. They hibernate in hollow trees, caves, and old structures.
4. Prairie Dogs
Out of the five species of prairie dogs, three species are animals that hibernate. The three species are Gunnison’s, Utah, and white-tailed prairie dogs. Shortage of water during winter months may have more to do with hibernation among prairie dog species than cold weather avoidance. Prairie dogs in both northern and southern climates hibernate during the winter.
5. Ground Squirrel
Of all the animals that hibernate, ground squirrels hibernate with the most style. They spend the winter months in complex subterranean tunnels with special rooms to store food, rooms to sleep in and bathrooms. Amazingly, hibernation in ground squirrels is caused by a change in their blood. Some ground squirrels may hibernate for as long as nine months out of the year. The ground squirrel, a true creature of hibernation, wakes once a week, dines on food stored in its food room, visits the bathroom to eliminate waste and returns to its bedroom for more winter sleep.
Related articles: Wildlife Corner: Why Bears Hibernate, The Process of Hibernation Explained
Featured Image from Joshua J. Cotten/Unsplash
