And even if they look like they’re sleeping, bears are still aware of their surroundings. Because they don’t have to unthaw themselves, bears can react to any potential threats really quickly. Some researchers have called bears super hibernators because their body temperatures only drop a few degrees, in contrast with smaller hibernators like squirrels, whose body temperatures drop to near freezing. Animals can go in and out of torpor daily or it can last for several days, weeks, or months, at which point it’s referred to as hibernation. During torpor, an animal’s metabolism, breathing, and heart rate slow down and its body decreases temperature. Instead, it’s an extended period of torpor - a state of reduced activity that is triggered in adverse environments and during periods of food scarcity. But contrary to popular belief, this physiological state isn’t just a really long sleep when the temperatures drop. So how and why does that happen? Hibernation is a state of inactivity that many warm-blooded animals, like bears, enter for several months out of the year. Yeah, bears have their babies while they’re tucked away in their dens for the winter! This seems like it would be the harshest possible time of year for cubs to be born, especially when they’re pretty much stuck inside. But they aren’t just saving energy for an extra-long nap - they also give birth during hibernation. Bears forgo a lot of activities to conserve their energy in the winter when food is scarce - even important bodily functions like eating, and peeing, and pooping. Looking for SciShow elsewhere on the internet? Melvin Sanicas, Melida Williams, Tom Mosner Huge thanks go to the following Patreon supporters for helping us keep SciShow free for everyone forever:īryan Cloer, Chris Peters, Matt Curls, Kevin Bealer, Jeffrey Mckishen, Jacob, Christopher R Boucher, Nazara, charles george, Christoph Schwanke, Ash, Silas Emrys, Eric Jensen, Adam Brainard, Piya Shedden, Alex Hackman, James Knight, GrowingViolet, Sam Lutfi, Alisa Sherbow, Jason A Saslow, Dr. SciShow is on TikTok! Check us out at SciShow by becoming a patron on Patreon: There is one thing that they specifically DO do during the winter, though: give birth! But, giving birth during the harshest possible time of year seems like kind of a bad idea, so why do they do it? Bears forgo many activities to conserve their energy in the winter when food is scarce, including eating, peeing, and pooping.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |