INSPIRE A KID Hibernation vs. sleep People often say hibernation is when animals sleep through the winter. But, that's not true. Hibernation and sleep may seem like they are the same, but they are actually very different. Here are some of the differences: Hibernation * Lasts for days or months. * Animals store fat in their bodies and use it slowly for energy. * Some creatures lower their body temperature to just above freezing. * Breathing slows down by 50 percent or more. Some insects and reptiles actually stop breathing altogether. * The heart beats only a few times each minute. * It takes a long time for most animals to become alert and aware when hibernating. First they have to warm their body up and increase their breathing and heart rate. Sleep * Lasts for hours. * Animals use only a little less energy than when they are awake. * Body temperature is close to normal and well above freezing. * Breathing and heart rates only slow a small amount. * Animals can wake up quickly and are aware of their surroundings. Wyoming is home to several animals that hibernate. Ground squirrels and yellowbellied marmots spend almost half of the year hibernating. Black and grizzly bears give birth while hibernating. Garter snakes, bumble bees and bats also hibernate. Do you think you would like to hibernate? Grizzly bears hibernate and give birth to cubs while hibernating. (Adobe Stock Photo) HOLIDAY GIFTS Share your appreciation for the Wyoming outdoors with the people you love by shopping for Game and Fish official gear and other great gifts from the Game and Fish Store. WYOMING GAME AND FISH DEPT. ONLINE STORE SHOP ONLINE at wgfd.wyo.gov/store or call 1-800 LIV-WILD 12 | December 2021https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Get-Involved/Inspire-a-Kid/More-Inspiration/October http://wgfd.wyo.gov/store