Meet These 7 Animals That Hibernate

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Hedgehogs

As autumn ends, hedgehogs start preparing for torpor, seeking out nesting spots like leaf piles or sheltered areas in old buildings and sheds.

Snails hibernate under extreme weather conditions, entering estivation during hot temperatures and traditional hibernation in cold weather.

Snails

Bumblebees

Their life cycle begins in spring when the queen emerges from hibernation to lay broods of workers, males, and new queens.

Skunks

Similar to hedgehogs, skunks enter torpor rather than true hibernation. They remain in torpor for several months in northern areas while this dormancy is shorter in southern regions.

Wood Frogs

Wood frogs hibernate with their hearts stopped and bodies frozen, enduring multiple freeze-thaw cycles until spring when they begin feeding and mating again.

Snakes

Snakes typically brumate, with the duration of dormancy depending on their location—months in colder places like Minnesota and weeks in warmer areas like Texas.

Bats

Bats enter torpor to conserve energy when temperatures drop, with the duration ranging from a few hours to up to a month.