Hibernation induction trigger

Imagine you are going to sleep for a long, long time, like a bear in the winter. But instead of just drifting off to sleep, your body has to make a lot of preparations first.

The hibernation induction trigger (HIT) is like the switch that tells your body it's time to start getting ready for hibernation. It's like when your parents say "it's bedtime," and you know it's time to brush your teeth, put on your pajamas, and get into bed.

When an animal gets a signal that winter is coming, like fewer hours of daylight or colder temperatures, that triggers the HIT in their brain. The HIT starts a chain reaction of hormones and changes in the animal's body. It's like a big team of workers getting everything ready for hibernation.

These changes include reducing their heart rate and breathing, lowering their body temperature, and storing up lots of fat to survive without eating for a long time.

So just like when your parents tell you it's time for bed, the hibernation induction trigger tells animals it's time to start getting ready for hibernation.