Sleeping Animals that are as Shutdown as the Government

While our government is still hibernating, I wanted to highlight some fascinating ways wildlife “shutdown”.

8 Random Facts About Animal “Shutdowns”

1. Eastern box turtles spend nights concealed in a shallow depression in soil or leaf litter. They not only sleep and hibernate in the litter, but also tunnel through it. Also -when they “shutdown” they are completely covered.

2. Fawns instinctively lie motionless when approached by a potential predator. Don’t be alarmed if you find them alone. Does will often leave young fawns to avoid attracting predators to their location.

3.  To avoid overheating during the day, sea lions will take refuge from the sun under vegetation, rocks, and cliffs. There is no waking these two.

4.  Gray squirrels do not hibernate, nor do they store a lot of body fat– so this is why they collect and scatter, and hoard thousands of acorns. This one is not hurt- just trying to stay cool.

5. Raccoons are primarily nocturnal but can occasionally be seen active during the day. The one pictured below really isn’t a good example of that though.

6.  A wolf’s  winter fur is highly resistant to cold. Wolves in northern climates can rest comfortably in open areas at −40° by placing their muzzles between the rear legs and covering their faces with their tail.

7. Elephant seals may actually sleep while they are on the move. Though this one clearly isn’t going anywhere.

8. Indiana bats hibernate in special sites called hibernacula (what a cool name!).

Additional Sleepy Resources:

• Here’s a great guide explaining the difference between torpor and hibernation.
• Could we hibernate? – A great question and something I’ve been pondering with all these rainy days.
• Wake up! Sleep secrets from the animal kingdom.

 Tell your member of Congress that they need to pass a funding bill so that vital wildlife conservation, environmental protection and many other vital services can continue.