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Hibernation is an inactive, sleep-like state for extended periods that some animals enter during extreme winters to remain alive without food for long periods. The body temperature of a hibernating animal is lower than normal. Also its heartbeat and breathing slows down considerably.

In winters when the environment is very cold and food is scarce, hibernation enables these animals to remain alive without food in three ways. First the body temperature of the animals is reduced below the normal temperature, reducing the expenditure in energy in keeping the body warm. Second, lack of physical activity also cuts down on energy requirements. Finally these animals have a large reservoir of fat stored in the body which is used up during the period of hibernation.

Hibernation for some animals can last for several weeks stretching across the worst period of winter. For others the hibernation may consist of several stretches of a few days interrupted by in between periods of arousal when the body temperature is restored to normal.

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