Did You Know About These 10 Animals That Hibernate Through The Winter?

BearsWhen hibernating, a bear’s body temperature remains above 31°C. In contrast to body temperature, their respiratory rate averages only one breath per minute with a heart rate of 8-10 beats per minute.Eastern ChipmunksThe eastern chipmunk lives in deciduous wooded areas and parks across the eastern US and southern Canada. It retreats to its underground burrow to enter a hibernation-type state that is different from true hibernation.Boreal ToadsCommonly found in the western US and western Canada, boreal toads can spend over half of their lives hibernating. It is thought they hibernate in rock chambers near streams, small mammal burrows or beaver dams.HedgehogsHedgehogs are one of the few mammals that truly hibernate. They do so in dry, sheltered, out-of-the-way places such as in log and leaf piles, large open compost heaps, and in the spaces beneath sheds.BatsSome bat species hibernate, some migrate and some do both. A hibernating bat's heart rate drops from 200-300 beats per minute to 10 beats per minute, and it may go minutes without taking a breath.Common PoorwillThis species is famous as the first known hibernating bird. In cool weather, it may enter a torpid state with lowered body temperature, heartbeat and rate of breathing for days or weeks at a time.Fat-Tailed Dwarf LemurThe fat-tailed dwarf lemur is the only primate in the world known to hibernate for an extended period of time. Endemic to Madagascar, they accumulate fat in their tails by gorging on food during the wet season.Yellow-Bellied MarmotNative to the mountainous and semi-arid regions of southwestern Canada and western US, yellow-bellied marmots spend about 80 per cent of their lives in their burrows, 60 per cent of which is spent in hibernation.Meadow Jumping MouseHibernation for the meadow jumping mouse begins around late September and early October and lasts until about mid-April to May, with males emerging slightly earlier than females.Painted TurtleThe most widespread native turtle of North America typically hibernates in the mud at the bottom of water bodies. While hibernating, the body temperature of the painted turtle averages 6°C.From Polar Bears To Snowy Owls: Top 10 Arctic AnimalsRead more