Hibernation is a state of reduced metabolic activity that many animals enter in response to periods of environmental scarcity, such as cold temperatures or limited food sources. During this biological state, core body temperature drops significantly, and metabolic rates decrease dramatically, allowing the organism to survive until environmental conditions improve. The process is a form of regulated torpor, differing from simple dormancy by involving measurable physiological adjustments, including changes in heart rate, respiration, and oxygen consumption. While the specific physiological mechanisms vary greatly between species, the primary function of hibernation is energy conservation, enabling the animal to endure prolonged periods when active foraging or maintaining a high body temperature would be unsustainable.