What happens during hibernation?

During hibernation, animals enter a state of significantly reduced metabolic activity to conserve energy during periods of cold or food scarcity. Their body temperature drops, heart rate slows, and breathing becomes more shallow, allowing them to survive on stored fat reserves. Hibernating animals may wake periodically to eat or drink, but overall, their physiological processes are greatly diminished. This adaptation helps them endure harsh environmental conditions until resources are more plentiful.