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Many animals hibernate. Discover in this article what they are and why they do what they do.
If someone asks you the names of hibernating animals, you probably remember the most relevant, the bear and the groundhog. But you want to be the better of only two options, and when more Bears don’t hibernate, they hibernate. So, in this article we give you the key to hibernation and the main animals that hibernate. After reading these lines you will get the correct answer.
hibernation features
hibernate It is characterized by various factors. on the one hand, by a strong drop in body temperature close to room temperature. On the other hand, during hibernation there is a significant reduction in heart rate, and, by slowing blood circulation, oxygen consumption decreases Remarkably. Furthermore, it should be taken into account that state of hibernation The animals’ numbers are: dwindling light, temperatures that drop below 6 °C for at least 48 hours, and little food.
hibernation is different from hibernation the state of alertness in which the animal is found, which is withdrawn from the dimension of the accompanying winter period Decreased temperature and metabolic activity. Thus, the bear does not hibernate, but what it does is spend the winter in a shelter.
When the coldest season of the year arrives, with the first snowfall the bear retreats to its den. Roll up to limit loss of body heat And his heart rate jumps to 8 to 12 beats per minute and his respiratory rate drops by less than half. If you don’t eat, living off your fat stores, For a period of 3 to 7 months, depending on the region where it lives, it may still leave its den, especially to warm itself in the sun. it is a continuous activity of the brain What is characteristic that the bear hibernates and does not hibernate. But, let’s look at animals that hibernate completely.
The Groundhog: A Classic of Hibernation
marmot hibernate for about 6 months Lose more than half of your starting weight. in the fall, eat a lot, so Accumulate fat reserves with which it will live during the hibernation period. He also purifies as much as he can to empty his bowels. anthelmintic it. He also makes a mattress of dry grass in his burrow, and blocks the entrance with a mound of earth and grass up to one and a half meters in length. it keeps me Dig down to a minimum temperature of 4°C.
His body temperature, which is initially 36°C, falls to 7°C. Your heart, which initially beats at a rate of 160 beats per minute, slows down to 45 beats per minute And breathe 3 to 4 times per minute. The groundhog wakes up every two or three weeks. To pee in a section of the gallery dedicated to that purpose.
If we talk about hibernating, the groundhog comes first
Hedgehog: hibernates and stings at the same time
Hedgehogs begin to hibernate when they come together Three basic factors. from one side, males begin to hibernate before females. On the other hand hedgehogs build nest in a pile of dead leaves Or they are even embedded between logs. And finally, hedgehog heart rate The pulse has to reach 20 beats per minute and its temperature drops to 10°C. hibernation of the hedgehog Lasts between 4 to 6 months. If they can stay awake for a while, they usually stay warm. At the end of hibernation, elephants They lose about 30% of their initial weight. They regain their strength before the breeding season begins.
If you see an elephant sleeping, be careful not to hurt yourself
Frog: hibernates and doesn’t jump
most frogs They usually hibernate under water. Water at 4°C contains more oxygen than warm water, so they can absorb the little oxygen they need through its permeable skin. Not a few breeds of frogs are among the most emblematic animals in danger of extinction.
Frogs need to hibernate in order to reproduce.
El Sapo: hibernates surprisingly
Toads hibernate in the ground. In Spain, the common toad begins hibernation in October and remains in shelter for about 6 months. self dug pit Often more than 50 cm deep. we can even find them in screams and wreckage, shelter from frost. By the time he wakes up, he’s gone A watering hole for breeding that takes place underwater.
Like frogs, toads also hibernate.
Bat: hibernates upside down
It is true that some bats migrate, but others hibernate. For bats, it’s important Keep the membrane of its wings. Therefore, the level of damp The place where they hibernate must be very stable. Whether in a cave or in a barn, The temperature should also be as constant as possible, And it’s frost-free.
All vital functions stop, with the exception of breathing, which is very slow, the heart and fat metabolism. bat body temperature He is only a little higher than where he is, and his body may be covered with frost, while energy needed to walk again In case of danger it is such that it can compromise the life of this animal.
never disturb hibernating bats
Dormouse: Sleeps and Hibernates
Like a hedgehog, the dormouse goes into hibernation as soon as the temperature drops below 6°C for at least 48 hours. surely you’ve heard the expression “Sleep Like a Dog”. And, this animal hibernates for a long time, usually from October to April. To hibernate, this animal sets up her nest on the ground At a depth of 15 to 60 cm. And, depending on the weather, it can be removed until mid-autumn. It hibernates in a group and like other animals, it will only appear around March or April.
you already know, sleep like a dormouse
Mascardino: The little one who hibernates
like the dormouse, mascardino (from the same family as the dormouse) hibernates in groups of about ten individuals And for at least 6 months. For this purpose, it builds a nest in the bushes or in the hollow of a tree.
Muscardine is a big unknown of hibernation
Tortoise: An Old Familiar of Hibernation
Turtle’s blood should always be room temperature. We talk about about 28-30 °C optimum temperature For him. If the turtle’s temperature drops rapidly to between 10 and 15 °C, it begins to slow down, and, It starts hibernating below 10°C. And his whole being is at rest. below 0°C, it’s too cold and turtle It may die. In hibernation, their immune systems are at complete rest. Rodents try to eat the turtles in the process and are therefore a threat. Like this, Turtle owners should take precautions To secure the place where your turtle hibernates.
Turtles are one of the most endangered animals during the hibernation process.
Ants: Diapause better than cicadas
In insects like ants, We are not talking about hibernation purely but about diapause. This term designates a physiological state characterized by Cessation of egg laying and decrease in worker activity. Diapause depends on each insect’s internal biological clock, and not so much outside temperature, But it may start before winter arrives. In our regions, ants cease all activity, and take refuge in anthills, hiding in the ground, in crevices or in wood. they do it so they can Protect from frost If water freezes in the ant’s body, its cells are destroyed, due to which the insect dies. Ants also protect themselves from the cold They produce a substance that covers their entire body.
Ant specimen after diapause
Do Ants Hibernate?
Ants, like other insects, do not hibernate, but instead enter a state of diapause.
What is the main trigger for hibernation?
In general, most animals that hibernate do so when there is a severe drop in temperature.
Can animals die during hibernation?
If the drop in temperature is too rapid and they fall below a certain temperature, the animals may die. For example, this is the case with the turtle.
