What happens during hibernation?

What happens during hibernation?

Hibernation, by definition, is when animals “sleep” through the winter season. During hibernation, the animal’s body temperature, heart rate and breathing rate all drop to significantly lower levels. Animals do this to survive the winter because the weather is cold and food is scarce.

What is hibernation short answer?

An inactive state resembling deep sleep in which certain animals living in cold climates pass the winter. In hibernation, the body temperature is lowered and breathing and heart rates slow down. Hibernation protects the animal from cold and reduces the need for food during the season when food is scarce.

What is hibernation long answer?

Hibernation is when an animal slows its heart rate to save energy and survive the winter without eating much. During hibernation the animal’s body temperature drops, and its heartbeat and its breathing slow down so that it does not use much energy.

What are some facts about hibernation?

Hibernation is a state of inactivity, in which an animal’s heart rate, body temperature, and breathing rate are decreased in order to conserve energy through the cold months of winter. A similar state, known as estivation, occurs in some desert animals during the dry months of summer.

What are some examples of hibernation?

Woodchucks are one example of true hibernators. During their hibernation, the woodchuck’s heart goes from 80 beats per minute to only four or five. It also drops its body temperature to 60 degrees below normal. Chipmunks and bats are other examples of true hibernators.

What are the survival advantages of hibernation?

Advantages of hibernation. Substantial energy savings. Hibernation is the best way of reducing energy expenditure in harsh conditions, for example at ambient temperatures around or below 0 °C. During hibernation the MR of the animal is greatly reduced.

What are the two types of hibernation?

Hibernation is further divided into two types: true hibernation and false hibernation . When we speak of animals going into deep sleep where they are not affected by sound or touch, it refers to true hibernation. As opposed to this, in false hibernation, the animal involved can easily wake up from its sleep.