SURVIVING THE BIG FREEZE.

This article discusses various strategies that animals use to survive in cold temperatures. One strategy is freezing and thawing, which is seen in the wood frog. The frog's tissues are able to freeze solid in cold weather and then defrost in the spring with no adverse effects. Another strategy is the use of antifreeze proteins, which are found in the blood of the crocodile icefish. These proteins prevent ice crystals from forming and allow the fish to survive in freezing waters. Additionally, animals may migrate to warmer climates to find food during the winter. Whales, for example, migrate to the tropics where there is less heat loss and they can feed their calves with nutrient-rich milk. Hibernation is another strategy used by animals to survive the winter. During hibernation, an animal's metabolism is suppressed, and their body temperature, breathing, and heart rate slow down. Examples of animals that hibernate include bats and dormice. The article also mentions that hibernation can be triggered by factors such as dwindling food supplies or the length of the day. Finally, the article briefly mentions that climate change can affect hibernation patterns and that scientists are researching ways to induce hibernation in humans for long space travel. [Extracted from the article]