Listening practice through dictation for copyright 2007 compass publishing all rights reserved
nature and the environment unit 1 hibernation some animals in cold climates hibernate this
means that they spend the winter months in a very long and deep sleep many animals find
shelter underground they dig out shelters to sleep in animals that cannot dig find cracks
or holes at the base of trees and bushes if they like the place they find they might use
it for years and years animals that hibernate include cold-blooded animals such as lizards
frogs and snakes many warm-blooded animals also hibernate such as mice bats and squirrels when
these animals are hibernating they seem like they are not alive at all warm-blooded animals seem
colder to the touch however their blood is still very warm hibernating animals have a very slow
heartbeat they almost stop breathing extra blood sugar and fat in their bodies keep them alive they
eat lots of food just before they hibernate winters that do not stay cold are dangerous
for hibernating animals they can sometimes wake up in their shelters when it gets a little warm
then they use energy by moving around during winter there is very little food these animals
can get very thin and weak if they move around too much and do not eat they can die animals
hibernate to escape the cold there are also animals in hot climates that escape the heat
during very hot or dry weather they sleep underground this is called a stivation