Aestivation and hibernation are the types of sleeping pattern. The main difference between aestivation and hibernation is, aestivation is summer sleep while hibernation is winter sleep in which an organism passes the winter period in dormant condition. Aestivation is summer sleep and during aestivation, animals usually tend to rest in a shady and cool place. Hibernation is a winter sleep and in this sleep, an organism tend to pass the time in dormant conditions. They are not active at all.
What is Aestivation?
Aestivation is summer sleep and during aestivation, animals usually tend to rest in a shady and cool place. They take sleep during the hot hours of daytime. Among many animals who perform aestivation are, frogs, earthworms, snails, crocodiles, lizards, tortoise and many more. In aestivation, usually cold blooded animals like reptiles maintain their body temperature by reducing their metabolic activities and protecting themselves from very high temperature. That is the reason why aestivation is also called summer sleep. Naturally in summer the body temperature rises, especially that of amphibians and reptiles can go on increasing so it becomes necessary for them to find a shay and moist place to protect themselves from temperature dis-regulation in their bodies.For instance, frogs tend to go in the deepest part of ponds to protect themselves.
What is Hibernation?
Hibernation is a winter sleep and in this sleep, an organism tend to pass the time in dormant conditions. They are not active at all. The find a warm place for themselves to protect their body from the surrounding cold environment. Winter sleep is often seen in cold blooded animals because their body temperature changes with the environmental conditions, it does not stay constant like that of warm blooded animals. In winter, the body temperature decreases and animals feel cold, that is the reason why they look out for a warmer place to rest in. In order to avoid this season, animals tend to hide themselves until the season surpasses. Among many animals who undergo hibernation are, birds, mammals, small insects, bats, mouse and many more.
Key Differences between Aestivation and Hibernation
- Hibernation is winter sleep and aestivation is summer sleep.
- Hibernation is of longer duration as compared to aestivation.
- In hibernation, animals look out for a warmer place. In aestivation, animals tend to find a shady and moist place for themselves.
- Aestivators are usually cold blooded but hibernation is performed by both cold and warm blooded animals.
- Aestivators are usually snails, earthworms, bees, salamanders, etc. Animals which hibernate include, birds, mammals, bats, insects and many more.