Hibernation — The Big Sleep

When winter comes and food becomes scarce, many bears enter hibernation — a deep sleep that can last 5 to 7 months! During hibernation, a bear's heart rate drops from about 40 beats per minute to as low as 8. Its body temperature drops slightly. The bear does not eat, drink, pee, or poop for MONTHS. It lives entirely off the fat stored in its body. Not all bears hibernate — polar bears do not truly hibernate because they can find food (seals) all winter. Pandas do not hibernate either because bamboo grows year-round!