![]() On chilly afternoon walks in the forest, you will likely notice small dramas written in snow by two- and four-legged creatures. This winter, keep an eye out for sightings or signs of different hibernators and be sure to share any observations with the Vermont Atlas of Life on iNaturalist! Reptiles and amphibians essentially enter a state of suspended animation, but many are able to move around on warm winter days if they are heated enough. For example, the Wood Frog actually freezes during the winter-no breathing, no heartbeat, no metabolic activity-with up to 65 percent of the water in its body turned to ice. During brumation, metabolic, heart, and breath rate are all reduced or cease entirely. Brumation is the term used to describe the hibernation of cold-blooded species. While hibernation may be a familiar phrase, chances are you will not have heard of “brumation”. The extent to which their bodily functions are reduced is also nowhere near that experienced by species who enter true hibernation. However, these species still move around a bit and may partially or fully wake up before re-entering dormancy. Shallow hibernators, such as Black Bears ( Ursus americanus) and Chipmunks ( Tamias striatus), still experience a drop in body temperature, heart and breath rate, and metabolic function, along with long periods of inactivity. Although true hibernators do not react to outside stimuli, moving them does trigger waking mechanisms, which can be harmful. For these species, their body temperatures drop to roughly that of the ambient air temperature, heart rate and breathing nearly stop, and internal organs become nearly inactive. In Vermont, true hibernation is only employed by Groundhogs ( Marmota monax), jumping mice (Family Zapodidae), and certain bats (Order Chiroptera). ![]() Hibernating mammals either enter into true hibernation or “shallow” hibernation (also called dormancy). Here is a crash course on types of hibernation, and how they differ. ![]() ![]() Methods of hibernation vary, but many species that remain in Vermont year-round use some form of it. In general, hibernation is a loose term, used to define a period of dormancy where an animal’s metabolic, breath, and heart rates are reduced, allowing it to save energy when environmental conditions are unfavorable. Although hibernation is a term we all use, it looks surprisingly different depending on the species in question. As the year’s first snowfalls dust Vermont’s woods and fields, many animals are already tucked away, hibernating until warmer weather arrives. ![]()
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