hibernating
Sleeping through winter
Hibernating describes the state of deep dormancy certain animals enter during winter months, when metabolism slows dramatically and the body lives off stored fat.
Bears, groundhogs, and some bats are known for hibernating.
Figuratively, someone hibernating is holed up and inactive: I spent January hibernating with Netflix.
The noun is hibernation.
Large furry omnivore
- groundhogNorth American burrowing marmot
- chipmunkStriped burrowing rodent
- dormouseSmall hibernating rodent
- hedgehogSpiny nocturnal mammal
bat · marmot · hamster · squirrel · tortoise · frog · snake · ladybug
Inactive, sluggish state
- dormancySuspended biological activity
- inactivityLack of movement
- quiescenceState of being inactive
- suspended animationHalted vital functions, reversible
latency · inactive · resting · stillness · pause · stasis · abeyance · sluggishness
Animal's dug dwelling
- denPrivate room or lair
- caveUnderground hollow in rock
- nestAnimal-built shelter for young
- hollowEmpty within
lodge · shelter · hibernaculum · underground · cozy · secluded · insulated · bedding
Stored adipose tissue
- energy conservationUnchanging total in closed systems
- food storagePreserving consumables for later
- survival strategyMethod ensuring continued existence
- brown fatHeat-producing fatty tissue
weight loss · fasting · resource scarcity · biological clock
bear
Large furry omnivore
- groundhogNorth American burrowing marmot
- chipmunkStriped burrowing rodent
- dormouseSmall hibernating rodent
hedgehog · bat · marmot · hamster · squirrel · tortoise · frog · snake · ladybug · bumblebee
torpor
Inactive, sluggish state
- dormancySuspended biological activity
- inactivityLack of movement
- quiescenceState of being inactive
suspended animation · latency · inactive · resting · stillness · pause · stasis · abeyance · sluggishness · shutdown
burrow
Animal's dug dwelling
hollow · lodge · shelter · hibernaculum · underground · cozy · secluded · insulated · bedding · retreat
fat reserves
Stored adipose tissue
- energy conservationUnchanging total in closed systems
- food storagePreserving consumables for later
- survival strategyMethod ensuring continued existence
brown fat · weight loss · fasting · resource scarcity · biological clock