Chipmunks prepare for hibernation by storing nuts and seeds in their burrows throughout the fall. They enter a state of torpor, where their body functions slow down, waking occasionally to snack on their stored food.
The Black Bear’s Sleepy Retreat
Black bears are among the most famous hibernators in North America. As winter approaches, they find a den or hollow tree to hunker down, significantly lowering their heart rate to conserve energy.
The Groundhog’s Underground Getaway
Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, dig deep burrows to escape the winter cold. During hibernation, their body temperature drops drastically, making them almost motionless until spring arrives
The Frozen Life of the American Toad
The American toad digs deep into the soil to escape the freezing temperatures. It hibernates underground, slowing its metabolism to survive on stored energy until warmer weather returns.
The Long Sleep of the Little Brown Bat
Little brown bats seek out caves or abandoned buildings for their winter hibernation. These tiny mammals hang upside down, slowing their heart rates from hundreds of beats per minute to just a few, conserving energy until insects reappear in the spring.
The Hidden Slumber of the Box Turtle
Box turtles bury themselves in loose soil or leaf litter to survive the cold months. Their body temperature drops to nearly match their surroundings, allowing them to survive without food or water.
The Grassy Bed of the Meadow Jumping Mouse
The meadow jumping mouse creates an insulated nest out of grass and burrows deep into the ground to hibernate. It goes into a deep sleep that lasts for six to nine months, with its body temperature dropping drastically to conserve energy.
The Secret Sleep of the Eastern Chipmunk
Eastern chipmunks may not hibernate continuously but instead enter a series of torpor states. They wake periodically to eat from their food stores, then return to their deep sleep for weeks at a time.
The Slow Pulse of the Painted Turtle
Painted turtles hibernate at the bottom of ponds, burying themselves in the mud. They can survive months underwater by absorbing oxygen through their skin, drastically slowing their metabolism in the cold water.
The Quiet Rest of the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog
Black-tailed prairie dogs hibernate in deep burrows, gathering in colonies for warmth. Their communal living helps them survive the winter as they slow their bodily functions, emerging only when the temperatures rise.
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