Hibernation

[Rainbowmum]

I am trying to learn as much as I can from WAB and am interested in learning about what native things in our country hibernate each year.
So, those with the knowledge : what hibernates, where, for how long, how does it(they) survive?
Thanks xx
Louise x

[badgerwatcher]

I'm contemplating it myself at the moment. We are getting really severe gales and lashing rain tonight here in Kent.

[kaitkaitkait]

Originally Posted by badgerwatcher

I'm contemplating it myself at the moment. We are getting really severe gales and lashing rain tonight here in Kent.

LOL! It's just as bad on the other side of the south - it's definitely hibernation weather. Where's my leaf pile?

[aeshna5]

Louise, of our mammals, the only true hibernators are Dormouse, Hedgehog + bats, though even these can wake in mild spells + briefly come out. There are major changes in metabolism + physiology which enable them to hibernate. Other mammals can take respite in severe weather but don't hibernate.

Many other animals overwinter in a torpid state, but are not hibernating in same sense as the mammals, eg our reptiles + amphibia, many insects; amongst our butterflies- Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell + Brimstone, quite a few moths, most shieldbugs are dormant as adults, ladybirds, the new queens of bumble bees + social wasps + many more that I don't know about.

In hot countries many creatures undergo a dormant phase in hottest period- this is aestivation; in mediterranean you often see lots of snails aestivating near top of plant stems.

Hope this partly answers your query.

[nightshade]

Bats although they look big with wings spread are really very small as regards bodyweight
Pipistrelle 180-240mm wingspan Body weight 3.5-8.5g
Noctule 410-460mm wingspan Bodyweight 41-76g
These are the smallest and the largest of our bats (when you consider a hedgehog needs to weigh at least 500g to survive)their bodyweight even with fat reserves makes them extremely vunerable and with fewer suitable (undisturbed /temperature stable)hibernacula/roost sites this unique Mammal is under threat
Bats need friends