Winter can be a tough time for animals, with cold temperatures and a lack of food. But did you know that some animals have a special way of surviving the winter? They hibernate!

Hibernation is when an animal goes into a deep sleep during the winter. They slow down their heart rate and breathing, and their body temperature drops. This helps them save energy and survive the cold winter months.

One animal that hibernates is the bear. Bears will eat a lot of food in the fall to store up fat for the winter. Then they will find a cozy den and hibernate until spring.

Another animal that hibernates is the groundhog. They will burrow underground and hibernate until the spring.

Lastly, some species of bats also hibernate during the winter. They will hang upside down in caves or mines and sleep through the cold months.

Hibernation is an amazing way for animals to survive the winter. The next time you see a bear or groundhog, remember they might be getting ready for a very deep sleep, sleeping until spring!

Here’s an activity idea to help hedgehogs through the winter!