How do squirrls hibernate?

Squirrels do not hibernate; instead, they go through periods of low activity called torpor. During torpor, their body temperature drops significantly, and they enter a state of reduced metabolism. During this time, their heart rate and breathing slows down, and they conserve energy by sleeping long periods and barely eating anything.

However, they may wake up on warm days during the cold period to look for food. As winter draws to a close and temperatures start to rise in the spring, squirrels emerge from their nests more often searching for food and gradually resume their normal level of activity.