Bat Hibernation
When winter comes around, and the last of the bugs disappear until the spring, a particular group of flying mammals must find a way to survive the winter without their only food source. Bats, along with groundhogs and chipmunks, are one of the few groups of mammals in the Blue Ridge that enter a state of true dormancy or hibernation. This state of low activity and reduced metabolic rate is called torpor, a state of efficient energy consumption that lets bats go for up to a month without drinking, eating, or moving.
All it's Clocked Up to Be: Circadian Rhythms
Have you noticed that the days are getting shorter? You’re not the only one! We’re a little under two weeks away from the winter solstice, and subtle seasonal shifts like cooler temperatures and shorter days affect plants and animals (including humans!) in significant ways. Keep reading to learn about circadian rhythms and how animal and plant behavior changes throughout the year!
Bernd Heinrich's Winter World
From flying squirrels to grizzly bears, and from torpid turtles to insects with antifreeze, the animal kingdom relies on some staggering evolutionary innovations to survive winter. Unlike their human counterparts, who must alter the environment to accommodate physical limitations, animals are adaptable to an amazing range of conditions.