Aestivation facts for kids
Aestivation is a special way some animals survive hot, dry weather. It's like hibernation, but instead of sleeping through winter, they sleep through summer! During aestivation, animals become inactive. Their bodies slow down a lot. This helps them save energy and water. They do this when it's very hot and there isn't much water around.
Both animals on land and in water can aestivate. This amazing survival trick has been around for millions of years. It helps animals avoid getting too hot or drying out.
How Animals Survive the Heat: The Science of Aestivation
Animals that aestivate seem to be in a "light" sleep. They can wake up quickly when conditions improve. Their bodies work hard to save energy and water. They also manage their stored energy carefully. This is important because hot, dry times can last for months, or even years!
During aestivation, an animal's body slows down its processes. This includes making and breaking down important body parts. To protect these parts, aestivating animals boost their natural defenses. They also make special "helper" proteins. These proteins keep their cells and organs stable. These survival strategies are very similar to what animals do during hibernation.
Invertebrate Aestivators: Small Creatures, Big Survival Skills
Many small animals without backbones, called invertebrates, use aestivation.
Snails and Their Summer Sleep
Some land snails, like Helix and Theba species, aestivate in the heat. They often climb plants or fences to find shade. This climbing habit can sometimes make them a problem for farmers.
To keep from drying out, snails seal their shell opening. They make a thin, dry mucus cover called an epiphragm. Some snails even make this cover stronger with a bit of calcium. It has a tiny hole to let in a little air. During this time, their bodies use less energy and lose less water.
Insects and Crustaceans: Tiny Survivors
Many insects also aestivate. Lady beetles, some other beetles, and mosquitoes are examples. Bogong moths aestivate in summer to escape heat and find food. Adult alfalfa weevils also slow down their body functions.
Crabs can aestivate too! The Australian crab Austrothelphusa transversa digs underground. It stays there during the dry season.
Vertebrate Aestivators: Larger Animals in Dormancy
Animals with backbones, or vertebrates, also aestivate.
Reptiles and Amphibians: Cool Underground Escapes
Desert tortoises, crocodiles, and salamanders are known aestivators. Some amphibians, like the cane toad, go underground. It's cooler and wetter there. The California red-legged frog might aestivate to save energy. This happens when food and water are scarce.
The water-holding frog has a special aestivation cycle. It buries itself in sand. It creates a waterproof mucus cocoon around itself. This protects it during hot, dry weather. Indigenous Australians learned about this frog's ability to store water. The western swamp turtle also buries itself. It does this to survive hot summers in its temporary swamp homes.
Fish and Mammals: Unexpected Summer Sleepers
Even some fish aestivate! African lungfish and salamanderfish can survive dry periods. They do this by entering a dormant state.
Aestivation is rare in mammals. However, some do it. The fat-tailed dwarf lemur from Madagascar is one example. It can aestivate for seven months in a tree hole. Four-toed hedgehogs are also thought to aestivate. They do this during the dry season.
Related pages
See also
In Spanish: Estivación para niños
- Critical thermal maximum
- Hibernation induction trigger
- Siesta
- Torpor
- Splooting
