A significant difference between hibernation and brumation is the oxygen requirements of the animal.Īlthough hibernating animals have reduced oxygen requirements, they still need lots of oxygen to survive. If they were to be active, they would freeze solid and die. Think of it like going into a very deep sleep for an extended period.īrumation, on the other hand, is when an ectotherm (cold-blooded animal) such as a salamander or toad involuntarily enters a state of dormancy when the temperatures fall.Ĭold-blooded animals cannot regulate their internal body temperature, so they are forced into dormancy when the temperatures fall. Hibernation is when an endotherm (warm-blooded animal) such as a squirrel voluntarily reduces its activity and lowers its metabolism to conserve energy when sufficient food is not available.ĭuring hibernation, the body temperature falls, and the heart and breathing rate slow down. Hibernating animals are not easily disturbed by temperature fluctuations and sleep through most of the winter Brumating animals are easily disturbed by fluctuations in temperature and will be active on warm days in the winter The Differences Between Hibernation and Brumation Hibernation Brumation Hibernation is voluntary Brumation is involuntary Hibernating animals still require lots of oxygen Brumating animals have extremely low oxygen requirements. However, there are some differences between these two concepts. In fact, many people use these two terms almost interchangeably. Toads Technically Don’t Hibernate, They Brumateīrumation is very similar to hibernation. Brumation refers to almost the same thing but in cold-blooded animals. Hibernation is a term reserved for warm-blooded (endothermic) animals such as groundhogs and squirrels.

That being said, it’s important to note that “hibernate” is a slightly inaccurate term.

This could be under logs, rocks, in deep leaf litter, soft sandy soil, or in small underground burrows below the frost line. Toads in cold regions hibernate to protect themselves from freezing temperatures in the winter. When the environmental temperatures rise or fall, so does their internal temperature. This is because they are ectothermic (cold-blooded) animals, meaning they can not regulate their internal body temperature. In the winter, we do not see many frogs and toads.

Do pet frogs hibernate