HIBERNATION

HOW ANIMALS SLEEP AWAY THROUGH WINTER

- POOJA K

Humans, would we ever think of giving up eating, drinking, or even staying awake for months on end to survive a harsh cold winter? We may not even adopt this lifestyle, but some species in the animal kingdom have perfected the art and science of slumber, called 'hibernation'. To define it in simple terms, hibernation is a state of minimal activity and metabolic depression. It is a seasonal heterothermy characterized by low body temperature, slow breathing and heart rate, and low metabolic rate. Some species adapt to this state during extreme winters.

Hibernation is considered an evolutionary adaptation that allows species like bears, bats, hedgehogs, and even some amphibians and reptiles, to survive the inhospitably cold climate without active foraging. It is a fascinating survival strategy that allows animals to survive harsh climatic conditions, or when food is scarce. Hibernation is a state of psychological and physical adaptation that helps the animals conserve energy and survive for long periods without food. It is an elongated process that has various stages.

STEPS IN HIBERNATION Adaptation that helps animals survive cold weather and food scarcity. During this phase, they go through many behavioral changes.

Drop in body temperature: Hibernating animals experience a lowered body temperature, sometimes to as low as 0 degrees Celsius.

Drop in heart rate: During hibernation, the animal's heart rate decreases from 110-150 beats per minute, to 5-70 beats per minute.

Breathing and movement: During this phase, the animals' breathing becomes shallow, they move very little, and are barely conscious.

HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?