Hibernation, scientific name hibernation, A process by which some animal species significantly slow their metabolic activities to conserve energy during the winter months.
During hibernation, the animals’ body temperature drops, their hearts beat and the breathing slows down and thus energy costs are minimized. This allows the animals to survive the cold months when food is hard to find. Of course, there are other reasons for hibernation.
The main reason for hibernation is to save energy.

In cold weather, vegetation decreases and it becomes difficult to find food. While squirrels and bears, for example, hibernate, the fat stores they accumulate in their bodies They survive by using it. These fat reserves provide the energy that animals need throughout the winter.
Hibernation helps animals adapt to environmental conditions.

It is crucial, especially for animals that live in cold climates. Ground squirrels, hedgehogs and even some bat species hibernate It is protected from harsh winter conditions. In addition, this process helps them minimize water loss in their bodies.
The bodies of animals that hibernate prepare for this process thanks to their biological clock.

As the days get shorter and temperatures drop, animals’ brains change pineal gland It increases the production of the hormone melatonin, which causes animals to hibernate.
Each animal species hibernates in different ways.

Some frogs and reptiles can freeze completely and body fluids can become ice crystals. However, special proteins allow their cells to survive without being damaged.
Bears, on the other hand, do not hibernate completely; they prefer to go into a deep sleep. In general, the sleep duration of bears is also the same It can take up to 100 days. During this process they do not even defecate and suffer no harm because they are not eating.
Hibernation is actually an excellent tool developed by animals to cope with the harsh conditions in nature. adaptation strategy. This process allows them to survive during the winter months, when it is almost impossible to find food.
Sources: Discover Wild Life, National Geographic, Tea Town, Australian Academy of Science
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