Energetics of Hibernation in Woodchucks (Marmota monax)

Abstract

Woodchucks hibernate singly with a daily mass loss of 5.2 7g and a specific mass loss (DML) of 1.94. Woodchucks have a higher metabolism than yellow-bellied marmots, who also hibernate singly. Woodchucks allocate a greater percentage of time and energy to euthermy, spend less time torpid and save less energy during hibernation than do yellow-bellied marmots, and save about the same amount of energy as alpine marmots. Woodchucks rely on a combination of large body size and a short hibernation period as the major hibernation strategy whereas the yellow-bellied marmot is energetically more efficient and the alpine marmot utilizes social thermoregulation.