hibernating

Everyday

1. Hibernating means spending the winter in a deep sleep-like rest. tree →
2. A hibernating animal is one that is in this long winter rest. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons pupils learn that hedgehogs, bats, dormice, some bears, ground squirrels and many frogs and snakes hibernate: their body temperature drops, heartbeat and breathing slow down and they live on stored fat. In everyday life you should not disturb hibernating animals, for example in leaf piles before a bonfire. Phrases: hibernating animals, go into hibernation, wake from hibernation.

Examples

• The hedgehog is hibernating under the leaves. tree →
• Check bonfire piles for hibernating hedgehogs. tree →
• Hibernating bats hang in caves all winter. tree →
• A hibernating animal breathes very slowly. tree →
• The bear is hibernating in its den. tree →
• Frogs spend winter hibernating in the mud. tree →

Note

From «hibernate» (drop the e, add -ing). Noun: hibernation. Myth: hibernation is not ordinary sleep — the body almost shuts down. Bears' winter rest is lighter than true hibernation; they can wake easily. Waking a hibernating animal uses up its fat and can kill it.