How Can an Arctic Ground Squirrel Survive Below Freezing?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How can an Arctic ground squirrel survive below freezing?

The Big Idea

Arctic ground squirrels survive below freezing by supercooling their bodies! During hibernation, their body temperature drops to about 27 degrees Fahrenheit. Even so, their body fluids do not freeze solid.

Winter Sleep

Step one: a long winter sleep. Arctic ground squirrels hibernate in underground burrows for about 7 or 8 months of the year. Their bodies slow right down to save energy.

Supercooling

Step two: supercooling. Their bodies cool to about 27 degrees Fahrenheit, which is below the freezing point of water. Their body fluids do not freeze, because they cool slowly and there are no ice crystals to start the freezing.

Warm Up Breaks

Step three: warm-up breaks. Every few weeks, the squirrel shivers and warms up for a short time. Then it cools back down and goes on sleeping.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! The squirrel's body slowly cools below freezing. Its body fluids stay liquid. That is because there are no tiny ice crystals to get freezing started. So the squirrel sleeps safely until spring.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Scientists say they are the only mammal known to do this. Supercooled means colder than freezing, but still not frozen. Their burrows keep them safe from the wind. Ask a grown-up to help with any freezer science.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, chill a clean bottle of cold water in the freezer for an hour or two, until it feels icy but is still liquid. Check it often. With your grown-up, tap it gently to see slush form! Share what you discover with a grown-up.

Outro

Arctic ground squirrels supercool to survive the winter. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!