Lots of animals hibernate. Hedgehogs hunker down, dormice curl up in a ball, and bats take to their roosts. Hibernation occurs when animals enter a state of almost total inactivity during the winter months.
They do this by slowing their heart rate, lowering their body temperature, breathing more slowly and reducing their metabolism. This helps them to conserve energy and survive for long periods of time without eating.
As with so many things, however, it’s a question of degree. Some animals rouse themselves from hibernation for a quick snack and a toilet break, before returning to their bed. Dormice do this and so do bats and chipmunks. This helps the animals to keep their strength up and get rid of any waste that would otherwise soil their ‘bed’.
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