What Is Hibernation?
In those parts of the world where some months of the year are very cold, mice and other small mammals hibernate.This means that they go into an inactive, sleeplike state for the cold period and only fully wake up when the weather turns warm again.
Hibernating animals breathe much more slowly and their body temperature falls.
They also need much less food.
They build up a thick layer of fat during the warmer months and use it up very slowly during hibernation.
A dormouse can sleep in its nest for up to nine months in a year. It may wake up at intervals during this time to nibble at its store of nuts and berries.
Do Raccoon's Hibernate in Winter?
We might say that the raccoon's do not truly hibernate during the cold winter days, but they rather "hole up" for days, weeks, or even months, depending on the weather.Raccoon hibernation is more like torpor, meaning their heartbeat, temperature, and body activities slow down, and they are only a little alert.
Raccoon's wake up from time to time during winter and sometimes even go out to hunt, they eat and go back to sleep.
During sleep their heartbeats and breathing slow down, but not as much as hibernator bodies do.
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