A condition in which an animal's metabolism is purposely slowed to endure prolonged periods of adverse environmental conditions normally several months at a time
A period of dormancy in animals during which there is a marked drop in the rate of metabolism and growth, including heartbeat, respiratory rate, circulation, and body temperature The torpidity of an animal, especially in winter when the temperature of the body approximates that of the surroundings and rate of both respiration and heartbeat are much slower than in an active animal
A state of dormancy or reduced activity typically entered at the onset of winter Hibernating saves the animal a great deal of energy at a time where food is not readily available Also referred to as "overwintering "
the act of retiring into inactivity; "he emerged from his hibernation to make his first appearance in several years"
To pass the winter in an altered state in which the body temperature drops to a lower level and the metabolic activity is reduced
{i} act of spending the winter in a dormant state; act of spending the winter in a place with a milder climate; dormant condition; state of inactivity
period of winter inactivity, during which normal physiological processes are greatly reduced, thus requiring less energy
Hibernation is a state of inactivity in an animal and may be viewed as a survival strategy that can be very successful in environments in which food is scarce or just difficult to find during a long, cold winter season Dropping into deep hibernation or into a torpid state allows the animal to use their body's energy reserves at a slower rate than they would if they were maintaining themselves at their typical basal metabolic rate Some ecologists refer to hibernation as "time migration" Hibernation allows the animal to skip over the cold, stressful seasons and only expend itself fully in those months of abundant food and moderate climatic conditions A major disadvantage to hibernation, though, is that the hibernating animal is quite defenseless when it is in a deep hibernative or even torpid state A very secure hibernating den (the "hibernaculum") is needed to protect the inactive animal
cessation from or slowing of activity during the winter; especially slowing of metabolism in some animals
the act of passing the winter, or a portion of it, in a state of sleep; a torpid or resting state
cessation from or slowing of activity during the winter; especially slowing of metabolism in some animals the torpid or resting state in which some animals pass the winter
State of greatly slowed metabolism and low body temperature in winter in certain animals. True hibernators include many cold-blooded animals and a few mammals (e.g., bats, hedgehogs) that go into a near-dead state with a near-freezing body temperature and very slow breathing and heart rate. Mammals such as bears that sleep in dens with only slightly lowered body temperature wake easily and are not considered true hibernators. Most hibernators build up a reserve of body fat or store food ahead of time. They may wake and eat several times during the winter. Cold-blooded animals must hibernate where the weather drops below freezing. Hibernation's warm-weather equivalent is estivation
A condition where an animal's metabolism is purposely slowed to endure prolonged periods of adverse environmental conditions, normally several months at a time