2/24/2024 0 Comments Do birds hibernate under snowSince heat is a by-product of metabolism, the body temperature of the animal begins to drop. “When this occurs, the heart rate and metabolism slow. But one thing is certain: They spend as few calories as possible during the long winter months. If bears hibernate or not is a point of contention. When an individual enters torpor, the body temperature drops – usually to the ambient temperature, perhaps as low as 2 degrees Celsius. The body temperature for mammals is often between 37 and 38 degrees Celsius, and 39 to 40 degrees for birds. During those periods, they need to save energy by using mechanisms like torpor. “Sometimes it can be difficult for animals to find enough food to meet their energy needs. And the colder the environment, the more energy it costs to keep warm. Much of the purpose of hibernation and torpor is to reduce the production of heat in mammals and birds, which requires a lot of energy, Stawski says. So even if their body temperature doesn’t drop as much, they still save a lot of energy. Like its much smaller dormant companions, the bear's metabolism slows down a good deal, Stawski says. “Bears are the exception to the rule,” says Stawski. The main guideline is that small animals hibernate or enter torpor. It would require too much energy to warm up again to normal body temperature. “The bear’s body temperature doesn’t drop as much as in smaller animals due to their size. The definition and use of the terms vary, and hibernation and torpor are concepts that are still being discussed, Stawski says. Whereas bats definitely go into hibernation,” he says. Zoologist Petter Bøckman explains the difference between hibernation and sleep, making the distinction crystal clear: Others refer to the concept of torpor, while some suggest that going into a den is a category in itself. Or do they? Google searches for bears and hibernation are more confusing than explanatory. ![]() The exception to the ruleīut what about bears? They’re a well-known example of an animal that hibernates. “Most animals that undergo torpor are small, since they need more food per gram of body mass to maintain their energy needs and at the same time lose more heat compared to other animals to enter torpor. ![]() These animals all have one thing in common: they’re small. (Photo: Andes Milan Zygmunt / Shutterstock / NTB) Hummingbirds can decide to become torpid to save energy on long journeys.
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