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Hibernation

Hibernation is the long period of rest by which many animals pass the winter, when food is scarce. In the late summer and autumn, the animal eats a lot while food is plentiful, and gets fat. Then, as winter approaches, it finds a hidden and sheltered spot in which to hibernate - a hole in the ground or under a pile of leaves, perhaps. The animal gradually becomes less and less active, until it appears to be asleep.

During the long 'sleep', its breathing and heartbeat becomes very slow and its body temperature drops. In this way, the creature needs very little food. The fat in its body supplies what food it does need. Some animals stay 'asleep' until spring arrives and there is food again. Others may wake up on the warmer days of winter, eat some of the food they have collected, and then hibernate again.

Animals that hibernate are mainly small ones living in the cooler parts of the world. They include many small mammals, such as dormice, hedgehogs, chipmunks and skunks. Some amphibians (frogs and toads) and reptiles (turtles and snakes) also hibernate. Hibernating insects include bees and some kinds of butterflies.