In North America, winter can include extremely cold temperatures, chilling winds, and deep snow. The winter season can last as long as six or more months. Food supplies may disappear, or become difficult to access. Despite these hardships, animals have evolved different effective strategies for successfully surviving winter. Some ways that animals deal with these life-threatening conditions include: True Hibernation Hibernation occurs when some mammals enter deep sleep for the entire winter. Torpor Animals sleep for the winter, but wake up and are active occasionally. Brumation Brumation is a state of inactivity that cold-blooded creatures enter during winter. Diapause Diapause occurs when insects pause their development to prepare for winter. Adaptation Animals adapt to the winter environment by changing their bodies or their behaviour. Migration Animals avoid winter altogether by going somewhere warmer! Resources HTML, graphics & design by Bill Willis 2025