Seeing that bear waking up video. How does a bear bed down for the winter and go to sleep for months on end naturally, but in summer when up and active they’re sleeping a regular amount.
In: 32
Hibernation is really more of an energy conservation mode than actually sleeping. Some animals that hibernate will stop hibernating for a little while to sleep before returning to hibernation because they’re different states of the brain and they can get sleepy while hibernating. Hibernation is a state of suspended animation and rest that is considered to be deeper than sleep. Core body temperature is lower, kidneys recirculate rather than excrete, and the parts of the brain that are usually more active during sleep are less active – these are key differences between hibernation and sleep. It can also be easier to wake a bear that’s hibernating than one that’s sleeping, contrary to popular belief.
Hibernation is not what we were taught in school. It’s a slowing, not a total shutdown. It still gets up to poop and drink and stuff, but it’s metabolism slows so it doesn’t need to eat as much in the cold harsh winter where hunting is energy expensive and prey scarce.
Latest Answers