Hibernation
⭐ MasteredSome animals sleep through winter in a state called hibernation, saving energy when food is scarce. Their heart rate and body temperature drop.
The Arctic ground squirrel's body temperature can fall below freezing.
All about Hibernation
Hibernation is a state of deep sleep that some animals enter during winter, when food is hard to find. The animal's heart rate, breathing and body temperature drop sharply, so it uses very little energy.
Animals such as dormice, bats and hedgehogs hibernate. They often build up body fat during the autumn, then survive on those stores. Some hibernators wake now and then to move or drink before sleeping again.
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Real-life uses of Hibernation
- Saving energy when food is scarce
- Surviving freezing winter temperatures
- Helping scientists study ways to slow human metabolism during medical treatment
Frequently asked questions about Hibernation
What is the difference between hibernation and sleep?
Hibernation is much deeper and lasts for weeks or months, with a big drop in body temperature and heart rate.
Do bears hibernate?
Many bears go into a deep winter sleep, but they can wake more easily than true hibernators.
Do hedgehogs hibernate in the UK?
Yes. Hedgehogs often hibernate from late autumn until spring, so garden piles of leaves are good places for them to rest.