Why don't animals die of dehydration when they hibernate?

Question

So they use fat as hydration instead of water?

Answer 1

Yes they metabolize their body fat. That process produces very little besides water and carbon dioxide as it is broken down. The water is used to replace what is lost in respiration while in deep hibernation.

Answer 2

They store up the extra fat to get them through hibernation-it takes care of food and water.

Hibernating animals also slow down or shut certain systems in their body to conserve energy.

Camels store fat in their hump which is why they can go so long without drinking, as water in the desert is scarce.

Answer 3

Animals do sometimes die in hibernation, it's not unusual. It depends on them having stored enough body fat to keep them going throughout the winter. When they hibernate, their metabolism slows right down, so they don't need some much to keep them going. Sometimes though, it slows down too much and then they die.

Answer 4

some do -- but nature is very technical and when a animal goes into hibernation there heart rate and body temp both drops very low and this low rate requires very little water since they are living mainly on body fat that they have stored up!!! great question you deserve a star!!!

Answer 5

I think some of the snow is melted on the inside of their den which is warmer due to body heat or being underground or inside a hollow tree or cave and so on. For example, a grizzly bear or a Vancouver Island marmot. This type of animal can wake up just slightly and lap up a bit of moisture that has melted on the inside of their dens due to snow accumulating outside and perhaps dripping inside through small openings.

Answer 6

because pretty much all their time just before hibernation is spent stocking up on food whether its eating the stuff or putting in the burrow to be used in hibernation

Answer 7

their bodies store up enough fat and moisture to see them through the hibernation period. not all animals can adapt and cope with hibernation.
wish humans could, i would love to spend a few months in bed

Answer 8

Because Fat contains enough water to keep them alive

Answer 9

Because they don't respire as much when hybernating. Therefore they don't use as much water. They stock up alot and stay somewhere where the temperature is just right so they dont sweat.

Answer 10

their body's are designed to use little enery to keep alive and theie heartrate goes down drastcally.