Critter Magazine - February, 2018

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5 Fascinating Facts About Hibernating Animals By Catherine Gill Most people do not give much thought to the changing of seasons. Sometimes we shift our wardrobes to include seasonal clothing that is appropriate for the weather. Other times we may alter our eating habits to include holiday foods. Annual cold-weather related disorders are even known to plague us. However, it’s rare that our entire lives are uprooted and modified for the winter. But animals that hibernate do exactly that. Their whole way of life is transformed into something completely new. Whether it be a creature that can stop breathing altogether and instead absorb oxygen in a novel way, or a critter that “hibernates” in a lighter sub-style of the process, the concept of hibernation is simply fascinating. While there are more than enough extraordinary facts about animals who hibernate to produce extensive literature on the topic, here are just five remarkable facts that will blow your mind. 1. Some hibernating animals can stop breathing and be perfectly fine. Water reptiles and amphibians can do some extreme things in order to hibernate. For instance, frogs like the hibernating bullfrog breathe air in the summer, but when winter arrives, their bodies slow down and they can absorb oxygen through their skin without actually breathing. In fact, most of a pond’s reptiles and amphibians are able to absorb the oxygen that they need through their skin; some turtles do this as well. 2. Some animals have adapted their hibernation style to suit their survival needs. Animals such as bears can go into an alternate, light hibernation state called a torpor. Torpor is like hibernation, but in this condition, the bear can be awakened easily. Unlike the deeper sleep during hibernation, animals who are in a torpor can be more aware of threats, making them superior survivors. Ground squirrels are also among animals who torpor, however they shift between hibernation, torpor and being awake. 3. Animal companions can lightly hibernate — and have even been mistaken for dead. Hamsters are also animals who torpor. Hamster I AM NOT YOUR ENTERTAINMENT. parents have mistaken their beloved pals to be deceased, only to witness their little balls of fur “come alive” again. The reason that hamsters go into light hibernation is due to the fact that there is a food and water source close by and readily available to them; they just wake up to dine, then resume their torpor. Sadly, hibernating hamsters can become tremendously startled if purposefully awoken from torpor, and some have even died of heart attacks. Hedgehog hibernating 4. An animal’s body can wake them for protection. Interestingly, the hedgehog whose heart rate drops by approximately 90 percent, can get too cold. If a hedgehog’s body temperature decreases to an unhealthy measure, it will wake up just enough so that the waking heart rate naturally warms it just right, then hibernation recommences. Hedgehogs also go into estivation during intensely warm weather, which is a hibernation that allows the animal to cool down before resuming normal activities. 5. Some animals treat hibernation like nature’s pause button. The common poorwill is the only bird that goes into true hibernation. It hibernates during extreme temperatures — when it is either too hot or too cold — and at times of food scarcity. As a built-in survival technique, the animal can take a hiatus and increase its chances of survival. The common poorwill can even hibernate while incubating its eggs, proving to be not only a true survivor, but also a riveting multitasking animal. Looks like nature has a pretty good handle on winter! An average of 24 horses suffer fatal breakdowns at tracks across the country every week, due in part, according to a 2012 New York Times investigation, to the misuse of drugs that keep injured horses running, and 10,000 broken-down thoroughbreds are sent to slaughter every year. PAGE 16 • CRITTER MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2017 PAGE 20 • CRITTER MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY <strong>2018</strong>
Greyhound Friends of North Carolina Dedicated to placing retired racers in loving homes CHANGING THE WORLD … ONE GREYHOUND AT A TIME! www.greyhoundfriends.com BRASS is a beautiful, cream colored, 4-year old female who is cat trainable and would make a wonderful companion. Call to meet this fabulous girl today! ADOPT A RETIRED RACING GREYHOUND! Greyhounds are calm, easy-going, sweet, loving, intelligent, clean, good with kids and other dogs … and some even like cats! Most are between 2-5 years old when they retire and have a life expectancy of 12-14 years. All Greyhounds are spayed/neutered, teeth cleaned, vaccinated, heartworm tested,de-wormed and groomed. A one-time adoption donation covers all these expenses. Meet our Greyhounds and learn more. For information, (828) 692-4986 or (828) 230-2917. E-mail: sherryc@morrisbb.net. Subarus-R-Us, Inc. “What we do is Subaru!” Our goal is to build long-term relationships of quality and trust with our customers. With over 25 years of Subaru service experience, we are your all-wheel drive headquarters and complete automotive service center for vehicles of all make and models. SERVICES OFFERED INCLUDE: • All scheduled maintenance with quality OEM parts • 2wd and 4wd Alignments • Tire repair and replacement • A/C Service and Repair • Brake Repair • NC State Inspections • Electrical System Diagnosis • Engine and Transmission Repair and Replacement BRING THIS AD FOR A 10% DISCOUNT ON YOUR NEXT OIL CHANGE! Open Monday-Friday / 8 am-5:30 pm / Early Bird/Night Owl Drop off available 372 Buckeye Access Rd. • Swannanoa • (828) 298-4883 CRITTER MAGAZINE • FEBRUARY <strong>2018</strong> • PAGE 21
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Critter Magazine - February, 2018

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