Mice, like many other small mammals, are known to hibernate during the winter months. Hibernation is a state of dormancy that allows animals to conserve energy and survive periods of food scarcity. During hibernation, mice will enter a state of torpor, in which their body temperature drops, their heart rate and breathing slow down, and their metabolism decreases. This allows them to survive on the fat reserves that they have built up during the summer months.
The study of hibernation in mice has helped scientists to understand the mechanisms that allow animals to survive in extreme conditions. This research has also led to the development of new medical treatments for humans, such as treatments for heart disease and stroke. Understanding the secrets of hibernation could also lead to the development of new ways to preserve organs for transplantation and to treat patients who are in a coma.