![]() Mourning cloak butterflies, for example, have “anti-freeze” compounds in their body fluids, which enable them to survive the winter inside hollow trees. Fish enter a torpid state as water gets cold, but can also become active when the water warms.īody chemistry helps other creatures survive the cold. They bury themselves in mud at the bottom of ponds and swamps, surviving in extremely low oxygen conditions. But in the Pine Barrens, they brumate in cedar or maple swamps beneath the roots of old trees, where the water never quite freezes.Īmphibians and turtles also brumate. In northern New Jersey, they brumate in deep, rocky mountain crevices with southern exposure. One interesting example is the timber rattlesnake. The hibernation-like state used by cold-blooded reptiles and amphibians is called “brumation.” While hibernating mammals are in a deep sleep, brumating creatures move around on warmer winter days. They enter a state of low metabolic activity and can recycle proteins so they don’t have to urinate. They’re too big to allow their bodies to get really cold, and they need to be able to wake up quickly in an emergency. But bears don’t drop their body temperature much. ![]() The fungus disrupts their sleep and causes them to wake up and fly, burning up precious fat reserves needed to get them through winter.īlack bears are famous for hibernating, and like to stuff themselves into cramped places like caves, rock crevices and hollowed-out trees. That’s why white-nose fungus has taken such a heavy toll on our smallest bats. If these true hibernators wake up in mid-winter, their metabolism and body temperatures go up and costs them a loss of energy. 2, unless they’re living in Punxsutawney, Pa. Woodchucks spend many months with a constant body temperature of just 38 degrees Fahrenheit! Almost never would a woodchuck wake up as early as Groundhog Day on Feb. ![]() These mammals slow their metabolism to a torpid, cold, inactive state. Over-wintering bats and large rodents like woodchucks are New Jersey’s true hibernators. Animals that hibernate – including bats, woodchucks, bears and snakes – employ an amazing variety of physiological strategies. Hibernators – Hibernation is more than a long winter’s nap. Some hibernate, some migrate, and others stay put. New Jersey’s wild animals – mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and more – have many strategies for coping with winter. Winter is coming, and wildlife is getting ready.
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