AESTIVATION
- ENVIRONMENT
News:
Estivation: The summer’s
urge to nap
What's
in the news?
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Aestivation is a biological phenomenon
whereby the animal enters a long period of dormancy or inactivity, in response
to high temperature or maybe even
drought-like conditions.
Significance:
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It serves as a survival strategy to conserve energy and water.
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Animals undergoing aestivation typically
seek shelter in cool underground burrows, crevices or cocoons, reducing their
metabolic activity and energy consumption.
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Can also be a way to avoid desiccation – i.e. extreme dryness of the skin – and also
lower the risk of being preyed on by a predator.
Examples:
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Examples of aestivating animals include
the West African lungfish, desert tortoises and certain land snails.