The only bird that hibernates and other amazing facts

'Many human beings say that they enjoy the winter, but what they really enjoy is feeling proof against it. For them there is no winter food problem. They have fires and warm clothes. The winter cannot hurt them and therefore increases their sense of cleverness and security. For birds and animals, as for poor men, winter is another matter.' (Richard Adams – Watership Down)

Today being the first day of winter I decided I don't want to brave the cold anymore in a flimsy jacket and it's time to put on a sound winter coat and warm boots. As animals do not have this kind of luxury, they hibernate. We all know about bears or hedgehogs that go into hibernation, but did you know there is one type of bird that deals with winter the same way?

The common poorwill is a nocturnal gray bird, some 18 cm (7.1 in) in length, that lives in the Western United States, Canada and Northern Mexico. To survive the cold, the common poorwill hides under rocks and logs, where in can spend from a few weeks to four months in deep torpor. Its body temperature drops, as do its heart beat and breathing rate.
The Native American tribe of Hopi Indians called this bird 'hölchko', the sleeping one.

The more, the merrier

As this is the only bird that hibernates, this phenomenon does not have a particular name. In snakes and other reptiles the process is called brumation or wintering. Their make their 'sleeping' quarters in rock crevices or tree stumps. Some snake species, like the Garter, like to hibernate in large groups. Not for the company, but for a very practical reason – to preserve as much body heat as possible by pressing close together. Guests like lizards, toads or tortoises are welcome in the snakes' pit.

The large underground holes they use are called hibernacles and are sometimes big enough for hundreds of snakes to fit in. Imagine the scene in spring when the weather is warm enough and all the snakes slither out at the same time!

Cheeky little monkeys!

The Fat-tailed lemurs of Madagascar are quite extraordinary as they go into hibernation when the temperatures drop to 30C (86F). Yes, that would be a perfect temperature for a splendid day at the beach, but for these little monkeys, the months of June and July are the coldest of the year! They hibernate until autumn, surviving on the fat stored in their tails! They come out only when the rainy season starts and there's plenty of food.

What about squirrels?

Ground squirrels spend hibernation rolled up into a ball, head between their legs, to preserve body heat. Unlike other species, they wake up once a week, for a few hours, go about finding some food, then return to hibernation.
This point might be a bit confusion, but, if you must know there's a great debate among scientists whether squirrels hibernate at all. Turns out it is the gray squirrels that don't hibernate in winter. People are often confused on this as some are not aware of the species of the squirrels in their area. Even if you do see a ground squirrel out and about in winter, it's probably after some food and then it's back to sleep!

A comfy bed!

Snails are lucky to carry around their houses with them. When temperatures drop they seal the entrance with a mixture of chalk and slime and go to sleep. They use almost no energy during hibernation and go without food. If there's a drought, snails can stay inside for years and only come out with the rain.

If there's ever a good time to run into a bear, that is spring, as the animal loses up to half of its body weight during hibernation.
In bumblebees colonies, only the new queen survives the winter. She does that by drinking large quantities of nectar to see her through winter and if it gets extremely cold it's body produces an anti-freeze.
Hedgehogs also react to extreme cold, waking up for a brief period to increase the heartbeat and produce more heat.
Some toads can hibernate up to four years surviving on body fat.
Ladybugs hibernate in large clusters to preserve heat and keep predators away.

Smaller kids might enjoy this short animated movie from Peek a boo explaining hibernation :

All images: Pinterest