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Winter hibernation

Arctic ground squirrels begin to feed up in the autumn, almost doubling their weight. As winter sets in they retreat to their underground burrows to bypass the winter entirely in hibernation. Unlike many other species which hibernate, Arctic ground squirrels can drop their body to temperature to minus 3 degrees centigrade, they warm up temporarily every few weeks by shivering, possibly to help prevent permanent brain damage.

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2 minutes

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