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Bears: HibernationHow would you survive the long, cold winter without food? Bears do it in a very cool way — hibernation.
Hibernation helps animals survive the changing seasons. Foods that bears eat, such as berries and flowers, are much less available during cold winter months.
When they hibernate, bears enter a deep sleep. They remain safe by hiding in dens. The bears' body functions, such as heartbeats and breathing, slow down. While they sleep, the bears can survive because their bodies live off of their stored fat or food. It's like nature's built-in battery cell. That's why bears eat plenty during autumn, in order to store up fat.
Many other animals hibernate, from various birds and reptiles to mammals such as woodchucks and rodents.
