what do animals do during hibernation

During hibernation, animals undergo physiological changes such as a drop in body temperature and slowed metabolism to conserve energy and survive adverse weather conditions or lack of food. Contrary to popular belief, hibernating animals dont actually "sleep" during the winter; hibernation is an extended form of torpor, where the animals metabolism slows down significantly. This allows them to use their stored energy much more slowly, enabling them to survive when resources are scarce. Hibernation is a critical survival strategy for many creatures, from butterflies to bats, as it allows them to endure cold, dark winters without having to forage for food or migrate to warmer areas. Animals in hot climates also undergo a form of hibernation called aestivation, which enables them to survive extreme heat, drought, or lack of food. Hibernation is more varied than commonly thought, with different states of hibernation in hot and cold environments, variable functions, durations, and risks to the animals involved. Small mammals such as chipmunks, dormice, hamsters, hedgehogs, and bats, as well as many insects, amphibians, and reptiles, are known to hibernate. Hibernation is an extraordinary evolutionary adaptation that allows animals to slow down their metabolic activities significantly and emerge in springtime to mate, have young, and recharge in a more hospitable environment.