Some animals sleep during the wintertime because the weather can be very cold and it is difficult for them to find food. They can sleep for a long time. This kind of winter sleep is called “hibernation”.
If an animal moves about a lot, it needs food. Hibernating animals do not need to eat much because they are not moving about. Their hearts(心脏) beat very slowly and they also breathe(呼吸) slowly. They find a place that is sheltered(遮蔽的) from bad weather and where they are out of danger. Their body fat(脂肪) keeps them alive and warm.
Some animals, such as bears, may wake up from their hibernation on warm winter days and then quickly go back to sleep again when they see the snow is still thick on the ground. When the weather becomes warmer in spring, the animals start to wake up and look for food.