![]() ![]() In hibernation, the animal undergoes physiological changes that can be quite dramatic. In fact, animals who come out of hibernation may be tired and cranky and need more sleep. ![]() This may often overlap with what we call torpor because these animals may wake up during winter and go look for food. Some animals hibernate in response to environmental stressors such as lack of food or draught. Bears and ground squirrels hibernate every winter and are obligate hibernators. These are animals that hibernate seasonally. There are actually several different types of hibernation. The pancreas produces insulin the hormone that regulates glucose and energy levels Pituitary gland that regulates metabolic functions, storing fat, heart, and breathing rate The pineal gland secretes melatonin the hormone that controls growing winter coats The thyroid gland controls metabolism and activity levels. They control the physiological reactions of hibernation. Glands in the body regulate hormones that are released at key times. Hibernation is not as easy as just going off to a nice warm cave. I wish I knew about that when I had my children! Some animals hibernate through gestation and give birth. ![]() Some animals cycle through hibernation and intermittingly wake up. In the winter insects are not an available food source so our bats either migrate south or hibernate during cold months. The bat species located in Kentucky all eat insects. This depends on the severity of the climate and the local food supply. But we won’t go there today.ĭepending on the animal, and the climate they may hibernate for weeks or months. Some wildlife biologists use the term denning. Scientists actually like to argue about whether bears truly hibernate since their body temperature only drops a few degrees. So a bear will receive clues from the surrounding environment and have the urge to store up fat (eat lots) and find an area of the shelter. This is an active metabolic response which means the animal can control when it happens. Heterothermy is the term scientists use to describe an animal’s ability to lower its body temperature to match the surrounding air temperature. Hibernation is the winter term for lowering metabolism – aestivation is what animals do in summer when they slow down their body functions. However, many animals hibernate including bats, groundhogs, bees, and rodents. Many of us think of bears when we hear the word hibernation. Let’s break it all down and look at each one. Grab a warm blanket and curl up by the wood stove. By slowing down their metabolic rate animals can conserve energy, have less need for food, and survive lower temperatures. Hibernation, Brumation, and Torpor are actually biological reactions to the environment. ![]() But their level of inactivity goes much deeper than you slumping out on the couch binge-watching Grey’s Anatomy. However, food sources aren't necessarily available all year long.Īnimals slow down their body’s need to produce energy and become inactive. Just like putting gas in a car to make it go. Even thinking uses energy.Įnergy is produced when animals eat. Things like walking, digestion, heating and cooling their bodies, all of these things use energy. Hibernation, Brumation, and Torpor are all animal responses to dealing with the need to conserve energy and slow down.Īnimals use energy all day. ![]()
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