![]() Additionally, an enormous amount of energy is required to end the hibernation process, and again, some unlucky animals cannot withstand the strain it puts on their bodies. Lowering your body temperature is not an easy feat at all, and unfortunately, some animals don’t survive their hibernation periods. ![]() Whilst hibernation may sound to us like a nice break and a chance to catch up on some sleep, it can be an exhausting and dangerous process. Squirrels don’t hibernate as they don’t really need to. Like the ‘yellow-bellied marmots’ over in the Rocky Mountains who bury themselves away from October until May! Why don’t squirrels hibernate? However, there are’ ground squirrels’ who do hibernate. Although they are from the same family of rodents, squirrels are rather diverse creatures.įor example, our grey and red squirrels here in the UK are tree squirrels that do not hibernate. We have two types of squirrels here in the UK the most commonly seen grey squirrel and the seldom-spotted red squirrel. Squirrels are known to enter properties during colder months, particularly loft spaces, so keep an eye out for any potential access points on the exterior of your property. To do so, they need a warm space to stay. They do tend to spend more time sleeping to conserve their energy. ![]() Squirrels in the UK do not hibernate during winter. This fact alone is why many assume that squirrels hibernate in winter like so many other creatures. Squirrels are a common sight during summer and early autumn however, as the temperature drops, so does the number of squirrel spottings. Well… some do, just not the squirrels that we have here in the UK. If you’re not moving, you’re not making any noise, and you’re not drawing the attention of any predators around you. Lying dormant in a safe space is also crucial for protection during the dark winter months. Without a consistent source of food, they would have no chance of maintaining their average body temperature. This is important during winter when many of the food sources for these small animals are either no longer available or in short supply. When animals lower their metabolism, their body temperature is set lower, requiring less energy to maintain. Using energy to generate movement in order to create heat and keep our core body temperature at the optimal figure. Take us, humans, as an example when we are cold, our bodies begin to shiver. Most creatures that hibernate are endothermic, meaning they regulate their own body temperature by generating internal heat. Several factors contribute to why an animal hibernates however, it is primarily a combination of temperature, food and protection. Animals can extend this state when hibernating for long periods – think of it as power saving mode! Why do animals hibernate? Torpor refers to a state in which metabolism is decreased to less than 5% of normal. These changes are dialled up to the max during hibernation to significantly slow the animal’s metabolism and conserve energy. When you sleep, you undergo physiological changes for example, your breathing and heart rate slows. Hibernation is, in its simplest form, a method of conserving energy. It’s mainly small mammals like dormice, hamsters, hedgehogs, bats and chipmunks that hibernate – however, some insects, amphibians and reptiles also rely on this survival method. Many creatures take advantage of the tactic to make it through the winter. But, surprisingly, it isn’t only used to survive the cold! Which animals hibernate? For many animals, it is their only option for surviving the coldest time of year. Hibernation is much more than just sleeping for a few months. We all know that some animals hibernate during the winter months, but what does it actually mean? This article discusses what is meant by the term ‘hibernation’, why some animals use it as a survival tactic, and why squirrels don’t hibernate. Squirrels become less active during the winter months, but what are the furry creatures up to if they’re not hibernating? Not quite.ĭespite common assumptions, squirrels do not hibernate. We’re all familiar with the sight of a grey squirrel storing food away in their nests, and this must mean that they hibernate, right? Well, no.
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