Learn all about brumation in this Bitesize Bonus episode of the Sedgwick County ZooCast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is the sister episode to the hibernation episode.<\/a> Be sure to give it a listen when you’ve finished this one.<\/p>\n\n\n VIGNETTE (00:00)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n EMILY BISHOP: You\u2019re probably familiar with Hibernation \u2013 that time when animals, like bears, settle their brains for a long winter\u2019s nap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But bears aren\u2019t the only animals that have a period of rest in the colder months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ectotherms also undergo a period of rest called brumation. Snakes, lizards, and turtles, among other reptiles and amphibians, are able to slow their metabolic processes and increase their fat storage, which are key to their survival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the factors that trigger brumation in wild ectotherms aren\u2019t necessarily present for their Zoo counterparts. So how does that affect the amphibians and reptiles\u2019 health? And can you trick an ectotherm into brumating?<\/p>\n\n\n\n INTRO (00:50)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n BISHOP: Hello, and welcome to the Sedgwick County ZooCast Bitesize Bonus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m your host, Emily Bishop, and this mini episode we\u2019re giving you the Zoo Scoop on Brumation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n WHAT IS BRUMATION? (01:06)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n DAVID KELLEY: So, brumation is sort of the reptile and amphibian equivalent of hibernation, with a couple different differences. The main being that this is an involuntary process that’s completely dependent on the outside weather. As the seasons begin to cool, the animals begin to have their metabolic rate slow, until eventually, they can slow it to a point where they basically, how do I how do I phrase it, all metabolic processes basically stop for the most part, even their oxygen levels decreased to the point where they require so much less than a mammal would in hibernation, for example. But they are not beholden to the weather. If it begins to warm back up, maybe there’s a two or three day time period, they’re actually able to come back out of this brumation, their metabolic rates increase, they might take in some sun, they might drink some water. And then as the temperature cools again, they\u2019ll go back down and resume their quote unquote, hibernation or brumation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BISHOP: That\u2019s David Kelley, an ectotherm zookeeper at Sedgwick County Zoo. He looks after the reptiles, amphibians, and fish that call Sedgwick County Zoo home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brumation is a period of rest that usually lasts 2-4 months depending on the species of ectotherm. It\u2019s caused by changes in the weather, and therefore changes in resources. But the ectotherms at SCZ don\u2019t have to worry about a lack of resources, and they live in temperature-controlled habitats. So that raises the question, do the ectotherms at the Zoo brumate?<\/p>\n\n\n\n KELLEY: Yes, for multiple reasons, it generally, the number one important thing is it’s just healthier for them. They are built to do it. So, it’s just a natural part of their life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BISHOP: Brumations is a necessary process for certain ectotherms to undergo for many reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Firstly, it aids in breeding. During brumation, ectotherms have an increase in their fat storage due to their metabolic processes shutting down. When they awaken in the spring, they\u2019re then able to use their fat deposits in the production of eggs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n KELLEY: But it does actually benefit their reproductive processes as well. Many reptiles kind of depend on that as sort of the signal to say, \u201call right, the cold season is over, we are now able to begin depositing our fat stores into eggs.\u201d The males begin to court females and it kind of starts the reproductive patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BISHOP: Secondly, brumation increases the lifespan of the ectotherms because their metabolic processes slow. They\u2019re designed to brumate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n KELLEY: Many reptiles are built to have that break. And when you don’t give them that break, their lifespan is automatically shortening. You’re basically just speeding up that metabolic clock. So, by providing the hibernation or brumation period, we’re allowing the animals take the proper break to be able to live their natural lifespan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n HOW THE ECTOTHERMS BRUMATE AT SCZ (04:06)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n BISHOP: Getting the ectotherms ready to brumate doesn\u2019t just happen over night<\/p>\n\n\n\n KELLEY: You might not see the change from the public perspective. But we actually begin to change the temperatures inside the exhibit, to slowly, over the course of a month or so, we might change it from I believe it goes to about 80 and then down to about 55 in the wintertime. And then it just stays there until the springtime<\/p>\n\n\n\n BISHOP: It\u2019s important to introduce these environmental changes slowly so as to not shock the ectotherms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once the temperature is lowered, the ectotherms burrow in preparation of brumation. Snakes and lizards tend to wedge themselves into rock crevices. Box turtles will burry themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, while not all ectotherms brumate, even the ones that don\u2019t tend to undergo a change in their metabolic processes. They don\u2019t enter a period of rest, but their activity slows down and their appetite lessens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n KELLEY: You know, during the summertime, I might feed a salamander two or three times a week. During the wintertime, I’ll give them the option to eat. But most of the time, they might only take food once a week, but their entire body, their entire metabolic processes are still active, just severely reduced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BISHOP: From rattlesnakes to Chinese alligators, the winter months signal a time of rest for many ectotherms, big and small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n LEARN HOW THE ZOO MAKES HOLIDAY SHOPPING EASY (05:34)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n BISHOP: That\u2019s what\u2019s new at Zoo with Brumation. But keep listening after a brief message about how the Zoo makes holiday shopping easy to learn more about species that are particularly skilled at brumation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trying to find the perfect gift for a loved one can be tough. Shopping during the holiday season is stressful.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nREAD AUDIO TRANSCRIPT<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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