Hibernation
Some animals use hibernation to survive extreme environmental conditions like winter. In hibernation, the way the body works actually changes, the heart and breathing rate slow down and the metabolic rate is decreased. This allows animals to survive on their fat reserves and not have to eat for months at a time.
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Interesting Facts
All 17 species of British bat hibernate in winter, generally between November and April, when the weather means that their insect prey is scarce.
Activity: Build a bug hotel
An outside group activity to build a bug hotel, great to do in the school grounds as once finished it can stand for many years with minimal maintenance.
Activity: Hibernation match
A classroom activity that gets children thinking about the species that hibernate and where they do it.
