What Is Summer Sleep, and Which Animals Do It?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. What is summer sleep, and which animals do it?

The Big Idea

Summer sleep is called estivation, and it is a lot like hibernation but in summer! Some animals rest through the hottest, driest months. When rain returns, they wake up and get busy again.

Slow Down

Step one: slow down. When it is too hot and dry, some animals slow their bodies way down. That saves energy and water until better times.

Wait in a Safe Spot

Step two: wait in a safe spot. Desert tortoises rest in cool burrows, and some snails seal themselves inside their shells. Some frogs and fish also wait in mud or burrows.

Rain Wakes Them

Step three: rain wakes them. When rain returns, water and cooler weather signal that it is time to wake up. Then they eat, drink, and get busy again, as if no time had passed.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Desert tortoises wait in cool burrows. Some snails seal their shells. Some frogs rest underground. Some African lungfish seal themselves in dry mud for months. Then rain brings them back to life.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Some African lungfish seal themselves in dry mud for months. They breathe air while they wait. Estivation is summer sleep, while hibernation is winter sleep. Never wake or dig up resting animals, and watch wildlife from afar.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Draw a snail on a rainy day. Then draw a snail in a dry spell, sealed in its shell. Which weather would make a snail want to rest in your area? Explain why.

Outro

Some animals sleep through the hottest, driest months. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!