They are similar, but Torpor is involuntary, hibernation is voluntary. Torpor is for short periods of time, hibernation is for long periods. Torpor drops the body temperature just a little, hibernation drops body temperature significantly. Torpor allows an animal to wake up and move around minimally (like to get food/eat) while hibernation does not.
shalafi@lemmy.world 4 weeks ago
Isn’t torpor just the scientific term for hibernation, or are they distinct?
Brunbrun6766@lemmy.world 4 weeks ago
They are similar, but Torpor is involuntary, hibernation is voluntary. Torpor is for short periods of time, hibernation is for long periods. Torpor drops the body temperature just a little, hibernation drops body temperature significantly. Torpor allows an animal to wake up and move around minimally (like to get food/eat) while hibernation does not.