What's the difference between hibernation and aestivation?

06 July 2008

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Question

Can you tell me the difference between hibernation and aestivation?

Answer

We put this question to Harriet McWatters:

They're very much the same thing. They're periods of dormancy to avoid inclement conditions. Hibernation is usually when an animal is trying to avoid winter. Aestivation is in hot countries where it's trying to avoid summer. It's avoiding the worst times of year.

Comments

Distinguish between hibernation and aestivation

aestivation is summer sleep and hibernation is winter sleep
aestivation is for a shorter time hot and dry time but hibernation is for whole winters

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