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Animals that Hibernate in Winter

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Hibernation is a fun topic to teach to kids in the winter. Today I have a fun printable book about animals that hibernate in winter for your young learners!

Animals that hibernate in Winter- nature book and printable

Winter Nature Study

I always feel like nature study in the winter is more difficult because I do not want to be outside as much. But, you can still learn about it from inside with books and other activities when the weather is not nice enough to be outdoors. See more ideas for Winter Nature Study. Learning about hibernation is the perfect thing to study during this time.

animals that hibernate in winter

Today’s post is a part of the monthly Nature Book Club. Read more details about that at the bottom of the post.

The book I selected to feature this month is called Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner. I absolutely adore this book, and her whole series of similar books. My kids and I really enjoy reading them together.

Hibernating Animals Printable Book

hibernating animals book

The Hibernating Animals book that I made was inspired by this little book. It has six different animals that hibernate in it and the homes or dens where they sleep. One page has the home empty asking the reader to guess who sleeps there. The next page has the animal sleeping inside of it!

The animals included in this book are a bear, a chipmunk, a raccoon, a snake, a bat, and a hedgehog. There is both a color and a black and white version of the book.

 What is Hibernation?

Hibernation is when animals go into a deep sleep during the winter months. They do this so their bodies can conserve energy when the temperature drops outside.

Animals That Hibernate in Winter

There are lots of different animals that hibernate in winter! Here’s a list you can use to teach your kids:

  • Bears- While we always say that bears hibernate, they actually are in a state of torpor. This means that they are asleep, but will wake up to loud noises or other disturbances. Their body temperature and heart rates do not lower like true hibernators.
  • Snakes
  • Skunks
  • Raccoons
  • Bats
  • Bees
  • Hedgehogs
  • Chipmunks
  • Groundhogs
  • Wood Frogs
  • Box Turtles
  • Common Poorwills -the only bird known to hibernate
  • Deer Mice

What is the Difference Between Hibernating and Sleeping?

Hibernation is very different from sleep. When you sleep you are just in a resting state. Animals that hibernate actually have a lowered body temperature when hibernating. Their body temperatures drop going as low as freezing point.

Their heart rate slows way down, too. This also slows down their metabolism so they do not need to eat during their hibernation period. They are not disturbed by loud noises or other distractions. It’s so fascinating, really!

Want to Print my Hibernating Animals Book?

This is available in my shop for purchase.

hibernating animals book

 

See MORE of my Nature Book Club Posts:

Pumpkin Life Cycle

Dandelion Life Cycle Unit

The Seeds We Eat

Leaf Shape Hunt

Acorn Color Matching

 

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