Many forms of life go into a state of dormancy to survive the cold, snowy winters of the Rocky Mountains. Do you know what these different types of dormancy are for different animals, such as torpor, hibernation, and diapause? Continue reading
dormancy
What Is A Hibernaculum? Snakes Know All About It
A bunch of snakes emerging in the spring from their hibernacula. Photo via Flickr.
Snakes hide in a hibernaculum when it is cold outside and snow is on the ground in the Rocky Mountains? What is that exactly? Continue reading
What Happens to Rocky Mountain Reptiles in Winter?
Where do the gopher snakes go in winter?
Have you ever wondered what happens to reptiles in winter? In the Rocky Mountains any reptiles go into an inactive, sleep like state of dormancy. Continue reading
Do Birds Hibernate? The Answer May Surprise You
A Clark’s nutcracker.
Birds use many different strategies to survive the cold winters of the Rocky Mountains. Do you know if any birds hibernate all winter? Continue reading
I Bet You Don’t Know What Brumation Is…
Rattlesnakes go into brumation over winter.
Have you ever heard of the word brumation? It is actually a term used to describe reptiles resting over the winter, kind of like hibernation for mammals. Continue reading
Diapause – What is it and what animals do it?
Some beetles enter a state of diapause during winter. Photo via Flickr.
Do you feel like going into diapause this winter? That may not be possible for humans, but what animals use that winter survival strategy and what do you know about it? Continue reading