Wildlife
Aestivation is a period of deep and prolonged sleep, or torpor, that occurs in the summer or dry season in response to heat and drought. Food can often be scarce at such times, so animals avoid using up hard won energy reserves by lowering their metabolic rate. This reduces the need for food and water during hard times, ensuring longer-term survival.
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Desert amphibians
Australian spadefoot toads rise like zombies at the first rain.
Australian spadefoot toads rise like zombies at the first rain.
A quiet summer home
Snails and Jersey tiger moths have a restful summer on Greek islands.
Snails and Jersey tiger moths have a restful summer on Greek islands.
Underground crocs
Crocodiles go into suspended animation to wait out the drought.
Crocodiles go into suspended animation to wait out the drought.
Aestivation or æstivation (from Latin: aestas, summer, but also spelled "estivation" in American English) is a state of animal dormancy, similar to hibernation, characterized by inactivity and a lowered metabolic rate, that is entered in response to high temperatures and arid conditions. It takes place during times of heat and dryness, the hot dry season, which are often the summer months.
Invertebrate and vertebrate animals are known to enter this state to avoid damage from high temperatures and the risk of desiccation. Both terrestrial and aquatic animals undergo aestivation.
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Other Survival strategy behaviours
Habitats where this adaptation is useful
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Long-eared hedgehog
Nile crocodile
Gopher tortoise