aestivation
Hot-weather torpor
Aestivation is a state of dormancy some animals enter during hot or dry periods—the summer equivalent of hibernation.
Certain reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates aestivate to conserve energy and water when conditions are harsh: The lungfish burrows into mud and aestivates until the rains return.
In botany, aestivation describes how petals and sepals are arranged in a flower bud before it opens.
Also spelled estivation.
Fish that breathes air
- snailsShelled terrestrial gastropods
- earthwormsSoil-dwelling segmented invertebrates
- amphibiansVertebrates with aquatic larvae
- reptilesCold-blooded scaly vertebrates
crocodiles · tortoises · salamanders · frogs · toads · hedgehogs · lemurs · land crabs
Inactive, sluggish state
- quiescenceState of being inactive
- lethargyAbnormal drowsiness and apathy
- inactivityLack of movement
- dormancySuspended biological activity
diapause · metabolic depression · suspended animation · rest · repose · stasis · latency · cessation
Collective sepals encircling petals
- corollaFlower's collective petals
- petalBloom's colorful segment
- sepalOuter floral whorl segment
- flower budImmature, closed blossom
imbricate · contorted · reduplicate · protective covering · inflorescence
Months with minimal rainfall
- heatTransferred thermal energy
- droughtProlonged water scarcity
- aridityAbsence of moisture
- warmthHeat you feel
scorching · sweltering · tropical · monsoon · rainy season · solstice · seasonal · climate
Fitting to new conditions
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- survival strategyMethod ensuring continued existence
- water conservationMinimizing freshwater waste strategically
burrowing · moisture retention · hardiness · persistence · microhabitat · refuge · stress response
lungfish
Fish that breathes air
- snailsShelled terrestrial gastropods
- earthwormsSoil-dwelling segmented invertebrates
- amphibiansVertebrates with aquatic larvae
reptiles · crocodiles · tortoises · salamanders · frogs · toads · hedgehogs · lemurs · land crabs · beetles
torpor
Inactive, sluggish state
- quiescenceState of being inactive
- lethargyAbnormal drowsiness and apathy
- inactivityLack of movement
dormancy · diapause · metabolic depression · suspended animation · rest · repose · stasis · latency · cessation · pause
calyx
Collective sepals encircling petals
flower bud · imbricate · contorted · reduplicate · protective covering · inflorescence
dry season
Months with minimal rainfall
warmth · scorching · sweltering · tropical · monsoon · rainy season · solstice · seasonal · climate · temperature
adaptation
Fitting to new conditions
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- survival strategyMethod ensuring continued existence
water conservation · burrowing · moisture retention · hardiness · persistence · microhabitat · refuge · stress response