Walhovd Helge
Zoological Laboratory, University of Aarhus, DK-8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
Oecologia. 1979 Jan;40(2):141-153. doi: 10.1007/BF00347932.
Thermal properties of hibernacula and sequences of arousals have been studied in four adult hedgehogs for seven months starting in October. Departures and entries to the nesting chamber were continuously monitored together with ambient temperature and the temperature in the hibernacula.During the two first months of the experimental period nest departures were intermittently recorded, predominantly in the two females which also occasionally foraged. The longest periods spent continuously in the hibernaculum ranged from 129 to 178 days. The natural hibernation season for Danish hedgehogs was found to comprise the six months from October onwards when there is little shelter where hedgehogs normally roam.Ambient temperatures recorded were -11 to +13° C being subzero for half the total time measured. The nest temperatures generally were higher, and above 0° C during 78-99% of total time, most commonly ranging from 0° to 4° C and thus reflecting deep hibernation.Between December and May spontaneous increases in nest temperatures amounting to 7-26° C (average 18° C) and bringing these temperatures to 10-29.5° C were recorded in 58 cases. Fiftyfour arousals did not involve departure from the hibernaculum (partial arousals). In the remaining cases (full arousals) the preceding rewarming lasted 4 1/2-6 1/2 h and nest departures amounted to 10,2 and 5 min in one female hedgehog and 90 min in another.The hedgehogs showed 12-18 arousals, the mean duration of which was 34-44 h. The high energy expenditure associated with arousals however, was found to last on average 21 h during each arousal. It is hypothesized that the body temperature during arousals chiefly was below 35-37° C.The time between arousals was 3-15 days. Periods in hibernation averaged 7-8 days in the females and 9-10 days in the heavier males, being generally longest in January-February. Neither arousals nor re-entries into deep hibernation occurred at any particular time of the day. It is suggested that for undisturbed hedgehogs arousals are induced and controlled by endogenous factors. In conclusion it is stressed that future studies on hibernation should recognize the importance of individual variability in the response pattern and focus interest on the endogenous factors which govern this important process.
从10月开始，对4只成年刺猬的冬眠场所热特性及觉醒序列进行了为期7个月的研究。持续监测刺猬进出筑巢室的情况以及环境温度和冬眠场所内的温度。在实验期的前两个月，间歇性记录刺猬离开巢穴的情况，主要是两只雌性刺猬，它们偶尔也会觅食。在冬眠场所连续度过的最长时间为129至178天。发现丹麦刺猬的自然冬眠季节从10月开始，为期6个月，此时刺猬通常活动的区域几乎没有遮蔽物。记录到的环境温度为-11至+13℃，在测量的总时间中有一半时间温度低于零度。巢穴温度通常较高，在总时间的78 - 99% 期间高于0℃，最常见的范围是0至4℃，因此反映出深度冬眠状态。在12月至5月期间，记录到58例巢穴温度自发升高7 - 26℃（平均18℃），使温度达到10 - 29.5℃的情况。54次觉醒未涉及离开冬眠场所（部分觉醒）。在其余情况（完全觉醒）中，之前的复温持续4.5 - 6.5小时，一只雌性刺猬离开巢穴的时间为10、2和5分钟，另一只为90分钟。刺猬表现出12 - 18次觉醒，平均持续时间为34 - 44小时。然而，发现每次觉醒期间与觉醒相关的高能量消耗平均持续21小时。据推测，觉醒期间的体温主要低于35 - 37℃。两次觉醒之间的时间间隔为3 - 15天。雌性刺猬的冬眠期平均为7 - 8天，较重的雄性刺猬为9 - 10天，通常在1月至2月期间最长。觉醒和重新进入深度冬眠在一天中的任何特定时间都不会发生。研究表明，对于未受干扰的刺猬，觉醒是由内源性因素诱导和控制的。总之，强调未来关于冬眠的研究应认识到个体反应模式变异性的重要性，并关注控制这一重要过程的内源性因素。
