Brrr! It’s cold outside. For bears, that means it’s time to find a den for hibernation.
How does the bear do it? When a bear is “denning,” it becomes inactive and its heart rate and breathing rate slow down. These biological mechanisms allow the bear to conserve energy and survive winter food shortages.
For months at a time, the bear goes without food or water and passes no waste. During this period, the bear uses stored body fat to survive.
Even though the bear is perhaps best known for finding a lair (see definition below) to use as shelter during the harsh winter months, it’s not the only animal that practices this winter routine. Ground squirrels, chipmunks and even some snakes go into hibernation.
So the next time it’s really freezing outside, you might want to find a warm shelter of your own for hibernation!
Speak your mind: Can you think of a good location for a lair?
LAIR: Den, resting place of a wild animal, hideaway.
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