During hibernation, animals slow down their metabolic rate and enter a state of reduced activity to conserve energy during the winter months when food is scarce. They typically find a safe and sheltered place to hibernate, such as a burrow, den, or hollowed-out tree. Some animals, like bears, store up fat reserves before hibernating to sustain them while they are dormant. Hibernation allows animals to survive harsh winter conditions by lowering their body temperature, heart rate, and breathing rate until they emerge in the spring when food sources become more plentiful.
