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Hibernation is a state of minimal activity and metabolic depression undergone by some animal species. Hibernation is a seasonal heterothermy characterized by low body-temperature, slow breathing and heart-rate, and low metabolic rate. It is most commonly used to pass through winter months – called overwintering.
Aestivation (Latin: aestas (summer); also spelled estivation in American English) is a state of animal dormancy, similar to hibernation, although taking place in the summer rather than the winter. Aestivation is characterized by inactivity and a lowered metabolic rate, that is entered in response to high temperatures and arid conditions. [ 1 ]
Some animals seasonally go into long periods of inactivity, with reduced body temperature and metabolism, made up of multiple bouts of torpor. This is known as hibernation if it occurs during winter or aestivation if it occurs during the summer. Daily torpor, on the other hand, is not seasonally dependent and can be an important part of energy ...
Hibernation is voluntary, whereas torpor is involuntary, like breathing. There are many animals that do go into full hibernation. True hibernators include squirrels , mice, bats, and turtles .
During hibernation and torpor, animals use fat stores to help them survive during the winter, the National Forest Foundation said. A black bear scoops dirt and debris into its den for hibernation.
A hibernation factor is a protein used by cells to induce a dormant state by slowing or halting the cellular metabolism. [1] This can occur during periods of stress, [ 1 ] randomly in order to allocate "designated survivors" in a population, [ 1 ] or when bacteria cease growth (enter stationary phase ). [ 2 ]
Hibernation is a mechanism used by many mammals to reduce energy expenditure and survive food shortages over the winter. Hibernation may be predictive or consequential. An animal prepares for hibernation by building up a thick layer of body fat during late summer and autumn that will provide it with energy during the dormant period.
Hibernation is a handy biological tool. If you can’t snowbird somewhere warmer in the winter, it’s best just to hunker down, conserve energy, and wait for the spring when resources are more ...