Educator Resources for Hibernation

If you hate getting out of bed when it’s freezing outside, you're not alone! Many animals hibernate to make it through the winter months. It's one of several adaptations that help animals survive cold weather! But there's a lot more to it than just snoozing until springtime. Hibernation is a state of dormancy, or reduced body activity. Body temperature and breathing go way down, lowering metabolism and allowing an animal to survive with far less energy. By using only its stored body fat, a hibernating animal can make it through the winter with little or no food! Most animals that hibernate are small, weighing less than 50 pounds. But what about bears? Well, it’s complicated. Click “play” to find out the facts on bears and hibernation. This is one movie you don't want to sleep through!