Hibernation. Hibernation Hibernation is a time when animals sleep through the winter months. The sleep is not how you and I sleep, but a very deep sleep.

Hibernation

HibernationHibernation

• Hibernation is a time when animals sleep through the winter months.

• The sleep is not how you and I sleep, but a very deep sleep.

• Exercise with partner.• With true hibernation, the animal could be

moved from one location to another without knowing it. (We should not put this theory to the test and just take the scientists’ word for it!)

• As a matter of fact the animal could appear dead while they hibernate, because all of the bodily functions slow.

The Hibernation ProcessThe Hibernation Process

• During the fall months the animals eat more food than usual because they will live on this fat while they hibernate.

• During hibernation the animals live off the fat first, and leave the muscle alone. This way when the animal comes out of hibernation they are as strong as they were before they went into hibernation.

• In the fall animals find a spot to hibernate and start preparing for their deep winter sleep. They find a safe place because during hibernation, enemies can get them easier.

Body temperature for cold-blooded Body temperature for cold-blooded animals during hibernation…animals during hibernation…

• Cold-blooded animals do not have a body temperature like humans do. Our body temperature is usually 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold-blooded animals’ body temperature stays the same as the outside temperature.

• These animals come in and out of hibernation when the temperature is comfortable for their body.

Cold-Blooded Hibernators!

Bees are only active about two months of every year. They come out when it is time to pollinate the plant of their choice.

Frogs are about 1-4 inches long. They hibernate in different ways depending on their location. Some dig holes or find cracks in logs or rocks. Some hibernate underwater. One fun fact about frogs is that a half frozen frog will survive!

More Cold-Blooded HibernatorsMore Cold-Blooded Hibernators

There are about 3,000 types of lizards. Lizards hibernate by going into underground burrows for hot months (if they are in the desert) or for the cold months (if they are in a colder area.)

Snakes can be as small as 6 inches and as large as 30 feet long. Snakes look for caves, holes in the ground, or cracks in rocks to sleep in.

Body temperature during Body temperature during hibernation for warm blooded hibernation for warm blooded

animals…animals…• When an animal hibernates their body

temperature drops very low to match the weather outside.

• Your normal body temperature is

98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. • Imagine that you are a hibernator and it is

30 degrees Fahrenheit outside; your body temperature would drop to 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Warm-Blooded Hibernators!Warm-Blooded Hibernators!

Badgers are about 15-30 inches long and weigh up to 35 pounds. Badgers are mostly nocturnal and are omnivores. Badgers burrow into the ground and go into a dormant type of hibernation.

Bats hibernate in hollow trees, caves, buildings, or old mines. Bats wrap their tails around themselves and curl into a ball while they hibernate.

Warm-Blooded HibernatorsWarm-Blooded Hibernators

Skunks are about 13-18 inches long and they weigh about 3-10 pounds. Skunks are about the size of a house cat. They build underground dens lined with leaves. When they hibernate they cover the hole of the den.

Hedgehogs come in all sizes. They can be about 4-6 inches long and weigh about two ounces. They could also be about 10-18 inches and weigh about 3 pounds.

Warm-Blooded HibernatorsWarm-Blooded HibernatorsA raccoon is 31-39 inches long and weighs about 15-30 pounds. Raccoons usually hibernate in hollow trees and logs, called dens.

Groundhogs hibernate in burrows where they store their food.

Where would you hibernate?Where would you hibernate?

• If you had the opportunity to hibernate anywhere, where would you hibernate?

• Why would you hibernate there?

• What types of things would you have to worry about? Are they the same as things animals worry about or different?