Hibernation Phenomenon of Re-Warming Arctic Ground Squirrel with Infrared Camera

An Arctic Ground Squirrel (Spermophiius parryii) re-warming from torpor during hibernation. Visualized through Near Infrared Thermography with FLIR device. Experiment conducted at University of Alaska Fairbanks in Kelly Drew’s Lab - Copyright Lesa Hollen Graduate Masters Project on Hibernation - A mammal that drops it body temperature to 0’ C and then rewarms to 35-37 C with in 3 to 4 hours - “During the hibernation season, ground squirrels experience fluctuating metabolic rates and body temperatures as they cycle into and out of periods of prolonged torpor. Torpor is a state of decreased physiological activity that is characterized by substantial decrease in metabolism and a decrease in core body temperature that approaches the temperature of the environment.“ Drew, K L etc.. 2007 J Neurochem 102:1713-1726