During Hibernation, Bear Metabolism Hits New Low (2 of 12) (IMAGE)

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

During Hibernation, Bear Metabolism Hits New Low (2 of 12)

Caption

Comparison of body temperature pattern of a hibernating arctic ground squirrel (in blue) and a hibernating bear (in red) in Alaska. The decrease in the bear's body temperature is much less than that of the arctic ground squirrel. The bear's body temperature continuously varies in cycles lasting several days, whereas the arctic ground squirrel shows regular episodes in which it returns to normal body temperature. This image relates to an article that appeared in the Feb. 18, 2011, issue of Science, published by AAAS. The study, by Dr. Øivind Tøien, at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and colleagues was titled, "Hibernation in Black Bears: Independence of Metabolic Suppression from Body Temperature."

Credit

[Øivind Tøien, Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks]

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