Guess What Animals Are Waking Up From Minnesota Hibernation!?

When you think of winter hibernation in Minnesota you probably think of the Black Bear. But there are a lot more creatures waking up from a long sleep in the state.

During the winter months in Minnesota, bears retreat into their dens where they undergo an extended period of hibernation lasting up to six or seven months.

This whole time they rely solely on their stored body fat reserves, without any food or water.

They also don't urinate or defecate.

Remarkably through this whole process bears recycle bodily wastes and then emerge in the spring season with minimal loss of muscle mass or strength.

Bears in Minnesota enter their hibernation period by retreating into their dens during the months of September and October.

They then emerge from this prolonged dormancy in the later parts of March extending into mid-April.

But it's not just bears that take the long winter's nap in Minnesota.

Did you know that numerous creatures also hibernate in Minnesota including:

• Woodchucks
• Chipmunks
• Bats
• Turtles
• Snakes
• Lizards
• Frogs
• Toads
• and lots of insects, ticks, and spiders.