Brumation is a state of inactivity and sluggishness that some cold-blooded animals, like reptiles, enter during the winter. It's similar to hibernation in mammals, but reptiles can be somewhat active during brumation.

It's not just reptiles like snakes, crocodiles and alligators, turtles and lizards that brumate. Brumation is also an escape from the cold weather for amphibians like frogs, toads and salamanders. When cold weather arrives, these cold-blooded animals survive by moving less or not at all, breathing more slowly, and lowering their body temperature. Some may burrow underground or into rock crevices to stay warm and safe.


There are distinct differences between hibernating animals and brumating reptiles. Hibernating animals remain asleep the entire season and do not drink, while brumating reptiles may emerge from sleep occasionally to drink water and eat, and may stay active for a couple of days before returning to sleep. Brumation in reptiles is more like torpor in mammals, however reptiles brumate any time within the year, unlike bears who undergo torpor during a specified season.



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