estivating
Torpid through heat
Estivating is spending the summer in a dormant or torpid state—the warm-weather equivalent of hibernating.
Certain animals estivate to survive hot, dry conditions when food and water are scarce: Desert tortoises estivate underground during the hottest months.
The spelling aestivating appears in British English.
Fish that breathes air
- snailShelled, slow-moving mollusk
- earthwormSegmented soil-dwelling invertebrate
- tortoiseLand-dwelling shelled reptile
- crocodileLarge semiaquatic tropical reptile
frog · salamander · hedgehog · lemur · mollusk · amphibian · reptile · invertebrate
Inactive, sluggish state
- hibernationProlonged winter dormancy
- quiescenceState of being inactive
- aestivationTorpor during hot periods
- diapauseInsect developmental suspension
metabolic depression · suspended animation · lethargy · stasis · inactivity · repose · sluggishness · inertness
Months with minimal rainfall
- heatwaveProlonged abnormally high temperatures
- droughtProlonged water scarcity
- scorchingExtremely hot, burning
- aridityAbsence of moisture
tropical heat · monsoon · warmth · humidity
Complete removal of moisture
- dehydrationExcessive fluid loss
- water conservationMinimizing freshwater waste strategically
- burrowAnimal's dug dwelling
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
shelter · moisture retention · endurance · adaptation · resilience · hardiness · persistence · resource scarcity
lungfish
Fish that breathes air
- snailShelled, slow-moving mollusk
- earthwormSegmented soil-dwelling invertebrate
- tortoiseLand-dwelling shelled reptile
crocodile · frog · salamander · hedgehog · lemur · mollusk · amphibian · reptile · invertebrate · desert dweller
torpor
Inactive, sluggish state
- hibernationProlonged winter dormancy
- quiescenceState of being inactive
- aestivationTorpor during hot periods
diapause · metabolic depression · suspended animation · lethargy · stasis · inactivity · repose · sluggishness · inertness · dormant
dry season
Months with minimal rainfall
- heatwaveProlonged abnormally high temperatures
- droughtProlonged water scarcity
- scorchingExtremely hot, burning
aridity · tropical heat · monsoon · warmth · humidity
desiccation
Complete removal of moisture
- dehydrationExcessive fluid loss
- water conservationMinimizing freshwater waste strategically
- burrowAnimal's dug dwelling
underground · shelter · moisture retention · endurance · adaptation · resilience · hardiness · persistence · resource scarcity