Habitat - Outdoor :: hibernation

[jheejhee]

What is word for the summer time equivalent to hibernation for pocket gophers? Gophers and rabbits become less active in the heat of the summer, sort of like hibernation. I believe there is a word to describe this "less active" state.

[steve]

You might be thinking of a type of dormancy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dormancy

[Dutch-az]

Are you thinking "aestivation"? Desert tortoises aestivate during the really hot part of summer.

[marisa]

I believe it's called estivation. In extreme heat or similar unfavorable conditions, some species of turtle will hide and become inactive, with metabolism slowing down, until the weather improves.

[SINI5T3R]

hmm out here in Arizona the gophers and rabbits are actually more active in the hotter days and when it turns into winter the gophers and rabbits disappear.