Slow, sleepy winter days find many animals curled up in their dens. They sleep warmly through winter, awakening in spring ready to enjoy the renewed Earth. This unusual, deep sleep is called hibernation.
What Is Hibernation?
True hibernation is a very deep sleep. The animal's body temperature drops, its breathing slows, and it is very difficult to awaken. But some animals, such as most bears, do not really hibernate.
Many animals are dormant in the cold weather. Being dormant means that they stop moving around, which saves them energy. Animals may go dormant because of something usual and natural such as winter weather. Wasps, snakes, turtles, and Gila monsters are some animals that go dormant. Hibernation is one kind of dormancy.
Who Hibernates?
These are some of the animals who hibernate or remain dormant (inactive) during the winter:
- Bears
- Hamsters
- Ladybugs
- Mice
- Bats
- Chipmunks
- Raccoons
- Skunks
- Groundhogs
What's a Super Hibernator?
Even though bears do not have a lower body temperature during the winter, they are very good at staying in their dens, fast asleep without eating, drinking, or going to the bathroom for months at a time. Smaller animals whose body temperature does go low—such as the chipmunk—must wake up every so often to take care of these things.
Why Do They Hibernate?
In colder countries, winter is hard for animals. Everyone, including non-industrial humans, is short on food. Game animals such as deer, turkeys, squirrels, and rabbits do not hibernate. They are available to be hunted, and they must make do with what forage (food) they can find.
A natural way for animals to wait out these difficult times is hibernation. Going into snug dens in the earth, they eat very little or nothing, having fattened up during the fall months.
Do Humans Hibernate?
How many people do you see outside on a cold, cold night? How many people on a nice summer's night? Humans may not exactly hibernate, but we do have habits we have developed to cope
with the cold. Holiday meals, heavy and sweet, give us lots of calories which was a very good thing in the old days when hard work for everyone was normal. Before travel by car was easy, relatives coming to stay for the holidays would usually be with you for at least a couple of weeks of feasting and mostly indoor fun. Our cold weather habits aren't quite hibernation, but both things do have a lot in common.
Get Ready for Groundhog Day!
Every year, America watches to see what happens when a certain hibernator will wake up from his winter's sleep. On February 2, all eyes will be on Punxsutawney Phil. Will he see his shadow or not? If he sees his shadow, legend says we will have six more weeks of winter! If he doesn't see his shadow, we will have an early spring.
Facts about Groundhogs:
They are true hibernators. Their temperatures drop, and their breathing slows down.
They eat mostly greens and fruits.
Baby groundhogs (called kits or cubs) are born in mid-April or May. If you'd like more books on these legendary weather wizards, check out our list:
Will the groundhog see his shadow? Will we have more winter--or, is spring on the way? Get ready for Groundhog Day with these fun books.
Hibernating with the Library
Check out our Happy Hibernations booklist to learn more about animals that snooze through the cold days. Starred (*) titles are picture books—gentle storytime/naptime choices for young children.
You can spend your winter dormancy with a good book. Here are some which teach about hibernation. Click on any title to learn more. CRRL library patrons may request books be held for them. Starred (*) titles are picture books—good for young children.
Learn More on the Web:
Bear Essentials of Hibernation
Much about those hibernating black bears.
Hibernating Animal Print Outs
Gives an overview of hibernation with useful printouts for projects on creatures that hibernate.
Hibernation Preschool Activities
Fun activities to share with young ones.
What Is Hibernation?
There's a little more science in this article from wiseGEEK.
