Squirrels are a common sight during summer and early autumn however, as the temperature drops, so does the number of squirrel spottings. Well… some do, just not the squirrels that we have here in the UK. If you’re not moving, you’re not making any noise, and you’re not drawing the attention of any predators around you. Lying dormant in a safe space is also crucial for protection during the dark winter months. Without a consistent source of food, they would have no chance of maintaining their average body temperature. This is important during winter when many of the food sources for these small animals are either no longer available or in short supply. When animals lower their metabolism, their body temperature is set lower, requiring less energy to maintain. Using energy to generate movement in order to create heat and keep our core body temperature at the optimal figure. Take us, humans, as an example when we are cold, our bodies begin to shiver. Most creatures that hibernate are endothermic, meaning they regulate their own body temperature by generating internal heat. Several factors contribute to why an animal hibernates however, it is primarily a combination of temperature, food and protection. Animals can extend this state when hibernating for long periods – think of it as power saving mode! Why do animals hibernate? Torpor refers to a state in which metabolism is decreased to less than 5% of normal. These changes are dialled up to the max during hibernation to significantly slow the animal’s metabolism and conserve energy. When you sleep, you undergo physiological changes for example, your breathing and heart rate slows. Hibernation is, in its simplest form, a method of conserving energy. It’s mainly small mammals like dormice, hamsters, hedgehogs, bats and chipmunks that hibernate – however, some insects, amphibians and reptiles also rely on this survival method. Many creatures take advantage of the tactic to make it through the winter. But, surprisingly, it isn’t only used to survive the cold! Which animals hibernate? For many animals, it is their only option for surviving the coldest time of year. Hibernation is much more than just sleeping for a few months. We all know that some animals hibernate during the winter months, but what does it actually mean? This article discusses what is meant by the term ‘hibernation’, why some animals use it as a survival tactic, and why squirrels don’t hibernate. Squirrels become less active during the winter months, but what are the furry creatures up to if they’re not hibernating? Not quite.ĭespite common assumptions, squirrels do not hibernate. In summer, a squirrel’s coat thins out and disappears.We’re all familiar with the sight of a grey squirrel storing food away in their nests, and this must mean that they hibernate, right? Well, no. Some squirrels even grow long tufts or clumps of hair on their ears for extra warmth. Squirrels grow a thicker coat and bushier tail in winter to keep themselves warm. Click here to read about The Lifespan of a squirrel. Squirrels that live in warmer areas often don’t hibernate at all. In fact, sometimes ground squirrels of the same species have different hibernation behaviors.įor example, Texas ground squirrels hibernate sometimes but males usually come out of hibernation two weeks earlier than females. Some ground squirrels hibernate in winter, but not all of them do and not all of them go into the same state of hibernation. If it gets very cold outside, some squirrels will stay in a group in their nest, and will go into a light hibernation and inactivity, at least until things warm up again. But in winter, flying squirrels usually leave their nests only when the sun rises and when it sets. In summer and fall these squirrels are usually out of their nests all night to look for food and gather food for winter. Slow down their metabolism in the colder months and lower their internal body temperature, to save energy when food is so scarceGrow a winter coat and tufts on their ears to stay warmHuddle together in nests when it gets very coldDifferent squirrels are nocturnal, which means they are active at night and sleep during the day. Most squirrels are tree squirrels so they don’t hibernate. Click here to read Are Squirrels Rodents ?
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