A hibernating animal's body temperature drops drastically and thier breathing slows. Their body fat (from all of the extra eating they did in the summer and fall to prepare for this time) gets them through the winter. During the winter, these animals can actually be moved or touched and not even be aware of it! In springtime when they awaken, they are very thin, but healthy.
Some animals that hibernate are badgers, bats, chipmunks, dormice, ground squirrels, ground hogs (wait--really? So THAT'S why Punxatawny Phil seems so groggy and docile on!), hamsters, hedgehogs, racoons and skunks. Also on this list are sloth, iguannas, frogs, snails, snakes and some turtles. You can also add bees and earthworms to the list! Now, here's something you may not have known: Bears do NOT hibernate! I know, I know.it just CAN'T be a myth!