TODAY -

Hibernating animals and climate variable

Asem Rahul *

 Tharoi -Seasonal Food items as available at Waithou Keithel : 06th November 2019
Tharoi - Seasonal Food items as available at Waithou Keithel in November 2019 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam



Hibernation is a way of evolution by most animals to survive harsh winters. The present climate variability and change is disturbing the physiological activity in hibernating animals.

Hibernation is like sound sleep. Most warm and cold blooded animals have the capacity to hibernate during winter months. The animal choose safe and well hidden place in order to avoid predators. The process of hibernation differs from one species to another species.

Some start migrating towards warmer regions, other produce thick fat layer and fur coat over their body and some just sleep. Mammals like bats, bears and squirrels undergo hibernation. Reptiles like tortoises and snakes undergo sleep state. Birds like swifts and night hawks, gastropods (snails) as well as amphibians like toads and frogs too hibernate.

There are other lists of hibernating animals that include fish, insects, bees, earthworms, turtles, butterflies, moth, wasps and rodents. Domestic animals hibernate as a result of natural instinct, but with more active periods in between. Scientifically, hibernation refers to a season of Heterothermy characterized by low body temperature, slow breathing, heart rate and low metabolic rate.

As animals hibernate, the body temperature starts dropping due to the lack of activity and metabolism. Soon, the heart beat drops, breathing becomes slow and the blood supply gets restricted to the essential parts. Due to the lack of normal activity, the fat burning process becomes slow and steady. The energy from fat is more than enough to keep the animal alive for the rest of the winter.

In case of cold blooded animals, the normal body temperatures drop with the drop in surrounding environmental temperatures. This means that their body temperatures will match the environmental temperatures. When the temperatures outside begin to change, and the air becomes warmer, these animals will wake up from their deep sleep.

Before the beginning of winter, the animals eat excessively and store the excess food in the form of fat. As winter arrives, they return to their dens or winter nests, where they spend the rest of winter hibernating.

Presently, climate variability and change act as a stressor in hibernating species. In fact, the change is altering the hibernation periods of animals, disturbing their breeding patterns and even change in their metabolic activities. Moreover, the change is pushing the animals towards human populated areas. The activity and physiology of garden snail (Leikang Tharoi) are very sensitive to local temperature and ecological changes.

Studies revealed the change in rainfall patterns and fluctuation in soil temperature leads to the death of juvenile snails. Besides, most of the garden snails are killed to avoid losses in kitchen garden. Furthermore, other edible snails like Tharoi Ningkhaibi (Angulyagra oxytropis), Labuk Tharoi macha (Bellamya crassa) and Labuk Tharoi achouba (Cipangopaludina lecythis) found in the lakes and paddy field are in extremely bad shape as a result of climate change.

Degradation of lakes results in climate variability and change leading to the rise in temperature, precipitation and humidity. Even the river, streams and canal snail like Lai Tharoi amuba ananba (Thiara tuberculata), Tingkhangpanba Lai Tharoi (Brotia costula) and Pung Tharoi (Pila theobaldi) are polluted by toxic substances from the water, especially from the major rivers flowing in the Imphal valley.

In general, most of the gastropods are sensitive to slight changes in environment, such as stability of the bottom, type of sediments, salinity, food supplies, water depth, temperature, oxygen content, and turbidity. Large omnivore’s diet species like bears (Sawom) are shifting their habit and habitats as a result of rapid variation in climate. Most bears (Asiatic Black bear, Sun bear and Sloth bear) found in Manipur shows physiological inactivity during the winter season of the year.

The result of climate variability and change becomes the Ursinae family more aggressive and pushing towards human populated areas. Sometimes, the species are often killed when they prey on livestock or raid crops, or when they roam too close to the village areas. As knowledge, the smallest bear, Sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) is the most arboreal bear, it makes rough nest of bent branches in trees to sleep in.

Until recently, climate has significant influence on the distribution, structure and ecology of forests. The change in climate is probably the most important determinant of vegetation patterns and assumes that the change would alter the configuration of forest ecosystems. Sun bear is now classified as vulnerable species.

The canine was previously listed as data deficient because not enough was known about the species. Over the last decades, scientist suggests small rodents like Kheiroi (squirrel) emerging from hibernation, leaving them less time to eat and reproduce.

In fact, Squirrel is the first sign that creatures are undergoing genetic alteration due to rising temperatures. Above all, numerous studies revealed that seasonal animals are altering with rising temperatures, with many species expected to seek their comfort zone; others which cannot move are likely to become local extinct.

Hibernation is an adaptation process to climate variable and change. During hibernation, the animal conserves energy in order to survive the long winter period when there is lack of food available.

More importantly, genetic variation is significant for future adaptation. Snails can hibernate at any point of time, whether hot or cold temperatures. The presence of thin mucus protects and prevents the species from drying out. Not all snails hibernate, but when they do, the animals have completely enjoyed hibernating. Whereas, the bears sleep whole winter without any break and wake up fresh and hungry in summers.

Small rodents like squirrel sleeps for about 4 to 5 days at a stretch wakes up, eats the food that it collected in summers, take a wee break and sleep for another 4 to 5 days. Hibernation of wood frogs looks like dead one, mostly seen during late winter or early spring of the year.

Freshwater Thenggu (Turtles) hibernate in water where their body temperatures will stay relatively stable and won’t go below freezing. Since they can’t produce their own body heat, it is a must for turtles that they hibernate when temperatures start dropping. It varies from one turtle species to another, but box turtles generally hibernate for three to four months.

Controversy is there where bees hibernate or not. Khoi (Ground bees and bumble bees) hibernate. Other bees do not hibernate; mostly they stick together and survive on food they’ve collected over summer. In addition, some species of Lin (Snakes) experience hibernation in winter, although that depends on the location and place. Sekpi (Bats) will go into the type of hibernation called Torpor when temperatures get cold and they need to conserve energy.

This usually lasts from a couple of hours to a couple of weeks for bats. During this time, the heartbeat can go from 300-400 beats per minute down to only 10. Another cool thing about bat hibernation is that they can use the heat stored within their bodies to help heat them back up again.

Overall, adapting to climate change entails taking the right measures to reduce the negative effects of climate change by making the appropriate adjustments and changes. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2007) defines adaptation as an adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities.


* Asem Rahul wrote this article for The Sangai Express
This article was posted on November 14, 2019.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Condemnation of Armed Football Match
  • Guwahati Asian Film Fest : Day 1
  • Of guns and football
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Epom Amadei Ithak - A theatrical revisit
  • Economy of the dynamic global landscape
  • Is the Bhagavad Gita relevant today ?
  • Healthy hair in Winter
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival (GAFF) 2025
  • From the battlefields to Delhi
  • Speculations on replacement of Chief Minister
  • 12th Legislative Assembly #2 : Gallery
  • Education & its disjuncture in Manipur
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Fest 2025 : Theme
  • Coo :: Poem
  • Agartala Coach : India U-19 Women Cricket
  • The story of the village of hope
  • Career choice in wetlands
  • CM in Delhi to meet Shah
  • After failed plastic ban bid, on brickfields
  • New catfish species discovered in Chakpi
  • Love, Unsure :: Poem
  • Manipur's border battles: Deeper conflict
  • A world without leprosy
  • Origin of corruption & possible remedies
  • The question of life
  • 'Sereki' unveils Majuli-themed campaign
  • Posers over summons to Delhi
  • Addiction-free campaign
  • Mera Chaorel Houba @Kangla #5 : Gallery
  • Lamtanganba, Adum , Mahaiso : eMing
  • Manipur : Champions Jr Natl Sepaktakraw
  • Effective Unified Command approach
  • Saurashtrian Tamils
  • Accepting the change :: Poem
  • From Kumbh to heaven direct
  • Edge of the seat suspense
  • Wetlands revival efforts reaping fruit
  • Natambakta : Play by JNMDA #4 : Gallery
  • EIIFF 2025 unveils Festival Memento
  • Climate change & plant diseases
  • Shija Hospital- AHPI Healthcare Award
  • Budget 2025: A big gift for middle-class
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #2
  • Cakeology 2025: India's largest cake expo
  • Need to stick to a consistent narrative
  • Leniency on tobacco ban aiding demographic
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #2 : Gallery
  • Pheiroijam Christina - 21st Miss North East
  • Manipur: Gold at 28th Jr National Sepaktakraw
  • Clarion call for redeeming our rightful future
  • The Power of Poppy - 67 :: Poem
  • Clean energy for sustainability
  • Union Budget: Industrialists from NE speaks
  • Balaram Sougaijamba: General of Manipur
  • Nikhil Okram crowned 14th Mister North East
  • Chadong village: Rising from waters with hope
  • Financial literacy for common man
  • Obituary: (L) Pu Thangkholen Sitlhou
  • Nail care in Winters
  • State of war since 2023: No winner, only losers
  • Talks on new district row
  • Radio E-pao: 1000+ songs from Manipur
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Kwak Tanba : Gallery
  • February Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • Ballad of Letting Go :: Poem
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Fest
  • Deeper exploration of term 'Hill-Valley Divide'
  • Children's Book to adopt 'Look East Policy'
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Endless suffering of internally displaced child
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #2 : Gallery
  • Thiyam Suryamukhi conferred Padma Shri
  • Isolate Kuki Militants by facilitating safe return
  • Sports Meet held at Rongdai Village
  • Eco-Apocalypse: Prevent collapse with Green
  • Grand Finale : 21st Mega Miss North East
  • Time to give more teeth to ST demand
  • 5 years of ILP; what about NRC demand ?
  • Remembering Md Ladu, celebrated polo player
  • The Lament of Love's Deceit :: Poem
  • Need for inculcating value based education
  • Royte - Times Young Entrepreneur Award
  • Glass Child Syndrome ! 'Sibling rivalry'
  • 6 Films for NE Section at GAFF 2025
  • Pony registration & conservation
  • Impartial anti-extortion cell need of the hour
  • 76th Republic Day @ Kangla #1 : Gallery
  • Conservation Strategies of Pethia manipurensis
  • Remembers 13 Brave Indian Soldiers
  • Workshop: Intl Year of Quantum Science
  • Governor's role and discretionary powers
  • Physics workshop for educators at Agartala
  • Who wins Delhi - Daru or Dharma
  • War on Drugs: A war Manipur cannot loses
  • NE turning into transnational drug hub
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #2
  • Manipur's dystopian reality
  • The day Light reached the hills
  • 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal Intl Film Fest 2025
  • Why is depreciation of rupee not stopping ?
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #5
  • Thoithoiba Yelhou Yangkok Artist #2 : Gallery
  • Republic Day Titbits
  • NIT Manipur: Best Design Award @VLSI Design
  • The Power of Poppy - 66 :: Poem
  • Grand Finale: 14th Mega Mister North East
  • Application : FILMART, Hong Kong
  • The Science of Success : Attitude #1
  • 21st Ningtham Kumhei Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Demographic for balkanisation of Manipur
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation at Nambol
  • Jugeshwor Kshetrimayum receives GELA 2025
  • Construction Committee of Meetei Yumpham
  • Call against misuse of social media
  • Positive & negative aspects of social media
  • In Search of Peace in Manipur
  • Embracing the Shadows :: Poem
  • Dr Manmohan Singh will live on
  • Rise in the price of medicines
  • Respecting the dead- Denying is a disgrace
  • Winter skin care tips for oily skin
  • Illegal immigrants :: Of FMR & border fencing
  • JD-U row exposes national parties' apathy
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #2 : Gallery
  • On 'Only BJP can save Manipur'
  • Frontline health workers dispelling darkness
  • 14th East Himalayan Trade Fair
  • Life is plastic
  • Killers on the road : 834 lives lost
  • Call to action to save State's wetlands
  • Essence of Gaan-Ngai #1
  • The Taste of Dreams wins @Red Intl Film Fest
  • Science: 3rd eye for Meitei-Kuki reconciliation
  • Northeast flies high in direct selling
  • Mastering focus amidst distractions
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #4
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • BJP : Tepid response from the hills
  • BABINA Hospital sets example in healthcare
  • Nitya Ras @Nongmeibung #1 : Gallery
  • Agonizing reality of our country's veteran elites
  • Historicising the colonial narratives
  • NSS Team Departs for National Integration
  • HUN-Thadou Cultural Festival 2025
  • Time to recreate Naga Peoples Convention 2.0
  • Career in nutrition
  • Need to give more meaning to War on Drugs
  • Time for real action not empty rhetoric
  • Foundation: Manipur Press Club #2 : Gallery
  • "Aronba Wari" :: Shumang Leela Synopsis
  • Tripura's livelihoods challenges
  • Archaeological Exhibition @ Kangla : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai @Chaopok village #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur needs to affirm her tribal roots
  • Madras/Chennai- 1989 till 2024 : Gallery
  • Investigate "arms recoveries" in Mizoram
  • Training on Mushroom Cultivation
  • NE Direct Selling Conference & Expo
  • Response of Delhi in last 20 months
  • Regulated entry after FMR scrap, border
  • Mutua Bahadur : Preserving Manipuri culture
  • Competitive Altruism: Resolving ethnic conflict
  • Pithe Puli Utsav at Agartala
  • Building the best version of yourself
  • Guwahati Asian Film Festival 2025
  • Tips to keep your lips soft & smooth in winter
  • Subsidised flight tickets for all
  • MCPCR alert on child trafficking fear
  • Imoinu Erat Thouni @ Wangkhei : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai celebrating Culture in Delhi NCR
  • The Weeping Gods of Manipur :: Poem
  • Disarming Kuki-Zo armed groups under SoO
  • Why nurses deserve more recognition, pay
  • The hidden truths of our social media lives
  • MMTU stand bang on target: Recapping May 3
  • Enhancing aerial options to ease travel woes
  • 2nd Emoinu Fish Festival #1 : Gallery
  • Sustainable development - climate action #1
  • RIST Talk- 62 : Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • "Technically a BJP MLA will rule Nagaland"
  • Makar Sankranti : vibrant customs & traditions
  • Why gold is a strong hedge but ...
  • Delhi date on January 17
  • Onus of addressing tribal issues on new Guv?
  • Nupilal Ningshing Lamjel #2 : Gallery
  • Licypriya Kangujam: Nat'l Youth Day Award
  • Barak Festival advocates Peace, Progress
  • 'Yu', not fully liberalised
  • Article 355 equals Governor's Rule ?
  • Calls to vote with conscience
  • Zingtun academy leading by example
  • State Gaan-Ngai @Sagolband #1 : Gallery
  • Is Kuki-Zo community pushing Nagas to edge?
  • Will drive to find-treat-prevent TB continue ?
  • Smart Cities, dustier roads ?
  • ST of NE & Dalits of mainland India
  • That May :: Poem
  • Understanding Red, Yellow, Green
  • Cong posers on Govt aid to SoO group
  • Culturals @Tri-Nation Football #1 : Gallery
  • Gaan-Ngai festival of Kabui/Rongmei
  • 40 Years & 04 Stations- Part IV (Madras)
  • Manipur Gold: 34th Sr Natl Sepaktakraw C'ship
  • Public Health Risk Management Training
  • The Power of Poppy - 64 :: Poem
  • The Science of Success #4
  • Hingminashi Eikhoi : Call for unity in diversity
  • A Hymn for Goddess Emoinu
  • Are the foods we eat, correct ?
  • Gangtok, Sikkim (1983 till 1988) : Gallery
  • The Taste of Dreams : Teaser Unveiled
  • Be a child of courage & conquer obstacle
  • Hans Renal Care Centre in Guwahati
  • Focus on pre-May 3, 2023 period
  • Conundrum over the genesis of crisis
  • Misna Chanu aids to Jiribam IDPs : Gallery
  • North-East Students invited to JEE Main 2025
  • Empower the State else avoid blame on CM
  • Obituary : Thaunawjam Brajamohon
  • Hope :: Poem
  • An introduction to Rabies (Hydrophobia) #3
  • Winter makeup tips for dry skin
  • Imphal, Delhi still groping in the dark
  • Tension over assault case, land claims
  • Mega Protest Rally, end AFSPA #2: Gallery
  • Foundation: Manipur Press Club #1 : Gallery
  • Ningol Chakkouba @ Delhi #3 : Gallery
  • Indigenous Pottery Making @Imphal : Gallery
  • AIR Radio Imphal Station - Live streaming
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #2 : Gallery
  • The historical account of Kabaw Valley #3
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #6: Gallery
  • E-Pao.net : 25th Anniv & 2025 Wishes
  • Protest @Delhi - Murder of Meiteis #2: Gallery
  • "Connections", art exhibitt @ DC : Gallery
  • Observance of Thang-Ta Day #1 : Gallery
  • Mera Chaorel Houba #4 : Gallery
  • Nupi Lal Memorial @Pune #1 : Gallery
  • Meitei Mayek Tamba : Online Classroom #5
  • Indigenous People Cultural Fest #1 : Gallery
  • Maibi Jagoi @ Mera Houchongba: Gallery
  • Mega Protest Rally, end AFSPA #1: Gallery
  • Ta Ta TabuHtoN :: Seireng
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet