Why do animals hibernate and how do they survive without food?

Animals hibernate to stay warm and save energy when there’s no food around.

Imagine it's winter, and you're wearing a thick coat, socks, and mittens, that's how some animals feel when they hibernate. They find a cozy spot like a den or a burrow, curl up, and go to sleep for a long time. During this hibernation, their body slows down, just like when you're sleeping and not moving much.

Some animals eat a lot before hibernating, it's like eating a big meal before going to bed, then sleeping through the night. Others have special ways of storing energy inside their bodies, like having a fat reserve that acts like a backpack full of snacks.

While they're asleep, their heart beats slower and they don’t need as much oxygen, it’s like taking deep breaths once in a while instead of breathing all the time. This helps them use up less energy, so they can stay warm and alive until spring comes again!