- Hibernation versus hibernation
- Does the mole hibernate or hibernate?
- The mole in winter
- Cold rigidity of earthworms
Do moles hibernate or hibernate? What is the difference between the two? Below we share with you the definitions of these two hibernation strategies and what exactly the mole does in your garden during the winter.
In winter, the mole builds particularly large mounds
Hibernation versus hibernation
Hibernation is, so to speak, a less deep hibernation with interruptions. Here is the definition of the two wintering methods:
Definition of hibernation
Hibernation is a sleep-like state, usually from October to March or April, that various mammals enter to overwinter. They do not sleep through these months, but wake up from time to time and change their sleeping place, for example, in order to remove themselves from excretions. Deep sleep can last for several days to weeks without interruption. The bodily functions such as breathing and heartbeat are reduced to a minimum. The heart then often only beats a few times per minute and the body feeds on the body fat accumulated in the fall. Some animals hibernate in groups, such as marmots, while others, such as hedgehogs, hibernate alone.
Definition of hibernation
Animals that hibernate wake up more often than hibernating animals. They lower their bodily functions slightly, but not as much as hibernators. In addition, when they are awake, they eat food that they have collected in the autumn. Squirrels, raccoons, badgers and bears are hibernators.
Does the mole hibernate or hibernate?
The mole is still hibernating again in hibernation. However, it is a little less active in winter and as a precaution stocks up on live (!) earthworms for the winter. To do this, he bites off their heads so that they do not crawl away, but continue to live.
tips
Anyone who finds a hypothermic mole in winter should take it with them, warm it up and take it to the vet. Be sure to warm up the mole first before offering it food and water!
The mole in winter
To prevent its burrow from being flooded by meltwater, the mole builds particularly large mounds in winter. In addition, he has to dig deeper to avoid hitting frozen layers of earth. In summer the mole hole is only 10 to 40 cm deep, in winter up to 100 cm or deeper.