Animals That Hibernate During Winter
Hibernation also known as winter sleep is a state of deep sleep or dormancy that an animal undergoes during the cold months of winter.
Animals that hibernate during winter. The Winter climate in North America ranges from cold and wet to snowy and windy. Hibernation is extremely important for the survival of some animals. Some animals which hibernate are jumping mouse little brown bat the eastern chipmunk some species of ground squirrels wood frog deer mice skunks hamsters prairie dogs and hedgehogs.
Smaller animals of prey may move to warmer locations or hibernate. During the spring the queens wake up and lay eggs for worker bees new queens and male bees to recreate the hive. Read on to learn more about the North American animals that hibernate and how they do so.
While bears might be the first that come to mind for years questions have surrounded whether bears are true hibernators. There are only 4 species of bear that are hibernators including American Black Bear Asiatic Black Bear Brown Bear and Polar Bear. Once winter approaches the old queens worker bees and male bees die repeating the cycle.
They may sleep during the most severe weather and wake to roam and eat during milder weather. Also some fish stay active in cold water during the winter. The animals body temperature drops and its heartbeat and breathing slow down.
Outdoor temperatures also become dangerously low. Unlike animals that stir regularly during hibernation bears can go for 100 days or so without needing to wake to consume or pass anything and they can be aroused much more easily than typical hibernators. Grab these free printable Animals that Hibernate Worksheets for kindergarten first grade 2nd grade 3rd grade 4th grade 5th grade and 6th grade students to make learning about animals fun and easy.
Animals that hibernate during winter. Other hibernating animals do not experience major changes in temperature heart rate and breathing. During winter months the food becomes scarce or not available at all.