The Dynamics of Body Temperature of the Eastern European Hedgehog (Erinaceus roumanicus) during Winter Hibernation

Abstract

The dynamics of body temperature in the Eastern European hedgehog during hibernation is described. The average body temperature in autumn before hibernation is maintained at 34.3 ± 0.2°C. During hibernation, the value averages 6.3 ± 0.4°C. A decrease in temperature down to –1.3°С is revealed for hedgehogs for the first time. Periodic normothermic phases each lasting less than a day were detected, as is typical of other hibernators. An active phase of hibernation (warming up and normothermia) takes up 16.5 ± 1.5% of the total time of hibernation. Changes in body temperature in the passive phase (cooling and hibernation) correlate with the ambient temperature. A reliable negative correlation between the duration of bouts and the body temperature is shown.