Changes

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

[[Latin]] hibernatus, past participle of hibernare  to pass the [[winter]], from hibernus of winter; akin to [[Latin]] hiems  winter, Greek cheimōn

[[Latin]] hibernatus, past participle of hibernare  to pass the [[winter]], from hibernus of winter; akin to [[Latin]] hiems  winter, Greek cheimōn

*Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_Century circa 1802]

*Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_Century circa 1802]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1 : to pass the [[winter]] in a torpid or [Rest|resting]] [[state]]

*1 : to pass the [[winter]] in a torpid or [[Rest|resting]] [[state]]

*2 : to be or become inactive or dormant

*2 : to be or become inactive or dormant

==Description==

==Description==

'''Hibernation''' is a [[state]] of inactivity and metabolic [[depression]] in [[animals]], characterized by lower [[body]] temperature, slower [[breathing]], and lower metabolic rate. Hibernating animals [[conserve]] [[food]], especially during winter when food is short, tapping [[energy]] reserves, body fat, at a slow rate. It is the animal's slowed metabolic rate which leads to a reduction in body temperature and not the other way around.

'''Hibernation''' is a [[state]] of inactivity and metabolic [[depression]] in [[animals]], characterized by lower [[body]] temperature, slower [[breathing]], and lower metabolic rate. Hibernating animals [[conserve]] [[food]], especially during winter when food is short, tapping [[energy]] reserves, body fat, at a slow rate. It is the animal's slowed metabolic rate which leads to a reduction in body temperature and not the other way around.

Hibernation may last several days or weeks depending on [[species]], ambient temperature, and [[time]] of year, and fur on the animal's [[body]]. The typical winter season for a hibernator is characterized by periods of hibernation interrupted by sporadic euthermic arousals wherein body temperature is restored to [[Normal|typical]] levels. There is a [[hypothesis]] that hibernators build a need for [[sleep]] during hibernation more slowly than [[normally]], and must occasionally warm up in order to eat. This has been [[supported]] by some [[evidence]] in the arctic [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_squirrel ground squirrel].

Hibernation may last several days or weeks depending on [[species]], ambient temperature, and [[time]] of year, and fur on the animal's [[body]]. The typical winter season for a hibernator is characterized by periods of hibernation interrupted by sporadic euthermic arousals wherein body temperature is restored to [[Normal|typical]] levels. There is a [[hypothesis]] that hibernators build a need for [[sleep]] during hibernation more slowly than [[normally]], and must occasionally warm up in order to eat. This has been [[supported]] by some [[evidence]] in the arctic [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_squirrel ground squirrel].

One [[animal]] that some famously consider a hibernator is the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear bear], although bears do not go into "true hibernation". During a bear's [[winter]] [[sleep]] state, the [[degree]] of metabolic depression is much less than that [[observed]] in smaller mammals. Many prefer to use the term "denning". The bear's [[body]] temperature remains relatively [[stable]] (depressed from 37 °C (99 °F) to approximately 31 °C (88 °F)) and it can be easily aroused. Some reptile [[species]] are said to brumate, or undergo [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brumation brumation], but the connection to this [[phenomenon]] with hibernation is not clear.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibernation]

One [[animal]] that some famously consider a hibernator is the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear bear], although bears do not go into "true hibernation". During a bear's [[winter]] [[sleep]] state, the [[degree]] of metabolic depression is much less than that [[observed]] in smaller mammals. Many prefer to use the term "denning". The bear's [[body]] temperature remains relatively [[stable]] (depressed from 37 °C (99 °F) to approximately 31 °C (88 °F)) and it can be easily aroused. Some reptile [[species]] are said to brumate, or undergo [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brumation brumation], but the connection to this [[phenomenon]] with hibernation is not clear.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibernation]

[[Category: Biology]]

[[Category: Biology]]