![]() Months-long hibernation is particularly difficult for large animals, like humans, says Blanco. The Arctic ground squirrel recycles its own pee, converting it into protein to stay alive. Other small animals have evolved unique tricks to survive during the long winter. These small animals span the animal kingdom, ranging from the Western Hermann's tortoise to hedgehogs (though you should take caution if your own pet hedgehog starts hibernating). “Hibernation is most beneficial in small animals, living in seasonal environments,” Blanco explains. There’s a scientific explanation for this phenomenon. While bears are iconic hibernators, most hibernating animals tend to be on the smaller side. Which animals hibernate?Ī hibernating Western Hermann's tortoise. Rather than associating hibernation purely with sleep, research suggests we should view hibernation primarily as an energy-saving mechanism. But the severity of the winter can also affect how long they slumber. Instead, they merely constrain their metabolic functions so they no longer need to expend energy doing basic tasks, such as pooping. “They can shut down metabolism for several months to a year, but they need to prepare for it by accumulating fat reserves, or cache food,” Blanco says.īut contrary to popular belief, many animals, such as bears, don’t actually sleep all winter. She tells Inverse these lemurs nearly stop their metabolic activity, reduce their body temperature, and gear up for the long winter. Marina Blanco led the study of the dwarf lemur and is a research scientist at the Duke Lemur Center. Others do: For example, dwarf lemurs living in the wild hibernate between three to seven months a year. However, not all animals sleep for the entire winter. Modern-day hibernation doesn’t look all that different. That study suggests pig-sized pre-mammals known as lystrosaurus went into long periods of sleep to cope with stressful, cold conditions in the Arctic Circle. Hibernation has a long, ancient history: One fossil study even suggests hibernation goes back as 250 million years ago. This might seem like a trick question, but many misconceptions exist around the concept of hibernation. Photo by David Haring, Duke Lemur Center How do animals hibernate?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |