Hibernation

What Is Hibernation?

Hibernation is a deep sleep that many animals use to survive winter. When the weather turns cold and food becomes scarce, they slow down their bodies. Their heart beats slower, breathing becomes shallow, and they use very little energy. This helps them stay alive until spring returns.

Animals That Hibernate

• Bears – They find a safe den, eat a lot before winter, and rest for months.
• Ground Squirrels – Small and quick, they tuck into burrows and lower their temperature.
• Bats – Some species hang upside‑down in caves and sleep through the cold nights.
• Hedgehogs – These spiky mammals curl up in piles of leaves and stay still.

How Hibernation Works

During hibernation, an animal’s body temperature drops close to the temperature of its surroundings. Metabolism slows, so the animal can live on stored fat. Occasionally, the animal may wake for a short time, but it quickly returns to sleep. When spring arrives, the temperature rises, food becomes available, and the animal wakes up ready to eat and play again.

We can

We can observe hibernating animals in the wild, read books, or watch videos to see how they stay safe during winter.

Now you know how hibernation helps animals survive the cold!