Estivation

Estivation or aestivation refers to the state of animal dormancy, similar to hibernation, characterized by inactivity and a lowered metabolic rate, that is entered in response to high temperatures and arid conditions. It takes place during times of heat and dryness, the hot dry season, which are often the summer months.

In addition to hibernation and daily torpor, estivation is the third form of dormancy that some animals employ to conserve energy. While the term estivation is primarily used for the summer sleep of invertebrates, in the case of vertebrates such as the lungfish, it is sometimes used interchangeably with hibernation.

Overview

Estivation is derived from the Latin aestas, which means summer. It is a survival strategy that is used by a variety of animals such as North American desert tortoises, crocodiles, salamanders, cane toads, and earthworms, among others. These animals typically burrow into the ground and enter a state of torpor, reducing their metabolic rate significantly.

Mechanisms

During estivation, animals enter a state of torpor, reducing their metabolic rate and thus their need for food and water. Some animals alter their physical characteristics; for example, the African lungfish develops a mucous cocoon and burrows into the mud.

See also

• Hibernation
• Torpor
• Dormancy
• Lungfish
• Desert tortoise

References

Estivation Resources
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