Animals That Hibernate: How They Survive Winter's Harsh Conditions

Hibernation is a state of inactivity and reduced metabolism that some animals enter during the winter months to conserve energy and survive the harsh conditions. During hibernation, an animal's body temperature drops, their heart rate slows down, and their metabolism slows almost to a halt. This allows them to survive for long periods of time without food or water.
Some examples of animals that hibernate include bears, bats, skunks, chipmunks, and groundhogs. These animals will often prepare for hibernation by storing up fat reserves before the winter months, which they use as energy during their period of inactivity.
Hibernation is not the same as torpor, which is a shorter period of reduced activity and lowered body temperature that some animals enter to conserve energy. Torpor can last from a few hours to a few days, while hibernation can last for weeks or even months.