[NatureNS] re hibernators vs. other mammals, was raccoon question

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I think, either very shallow hibernators or just exhibit torpor during
For reading on some of our more bitterly cold days, fascinating material 
about hibernation can be found in Bernd Heinrich's book from 2003, Winter 
World: The Ingenuity of Animal Surival. It includes chapters with titles 
such as "Hibernating Squirrels," "Hibernating Birds," "Torbid Turtles Under 
Ice," and "Bears in Winter." Some of you may already know Heinrich as one of 
the finest living nature writers, author of books such as Ravens in Winter, 
Bumblebee Economics, Mind of the Raven, & A Year in the Maine Woods.
Brian

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Wolford" <jimwolford@eastlink.ca>
To: "NatureNS" <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
Sent: Friday, January 04, 2008 9:35 PM
Subject: [NatureNS] re hibernators vs. other mammals, was raccoon question


> Hiding from the snow and cold is not the same thing as hibernation.  Real
> hibernators include deep hibernators and shallow hibernators; others like
> raccoons can exhibit various forms of temporary torpor, which is a lack of
> activity and somewhat slower metabolism.  Deep hibernators include
> groundhogs/woodchucks, chipmunks and other kinds of ground squirrels (none
> in Nova Scotia), meadow and woodland jumping mice, and bats.  Bears are
> shallow hibernators, which are fairly easy to arouse during their "sleep"
> with metabolism that is nowhere near as slowed down as in deep 
> hibernators.

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