Do prairie dogs hibernate?

During the winter months, black-tailed prairie dogs do not fully hibernate. They continue to leave the burrow to forage, but will enter a state of torpor at night to conserve energy. Torpor is categorized by a drop in metabolism, heart rate and respiration similar to hibernation, but is involuntary and shorter in duration. read more

" Hibernation occurs when an animal becomes dormant during late Autumn, Winter and early Spring. Hibernating individuals appear to be in a deep sleep, with markedly low rates of respiration and heartbeat. read more

All prairie dogs, whether they hibernate or not, make certain preparations for the winter. Some of them change their tawny brown coats for thicker coats of paler fur. A11 of them stuff themselves during the late summer and. early fall in order to take on an extra layer of fat. read more