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Brumation<\/b> is a state of winter dormancy that reptiles and amphibians undergo, during which their metabolic processes slow down, activity drops, and they stop eating but may wake periodically to drink water. It differs from hibernation because reptiles are cold\u2011blooded; their metabolism slows because of cold temperatures, and they do not enter\u00a0the deep sleep seen in mammalian hibernators.<\/p>\n
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Teaching Resources<\/h3>\n\n- Hinterland Who\u2019s Who<\/b><\/a> \u2013 <\/span>Who hibernates or brumates<\/span><\/a>? On <\/span>HWW.ca<\/span><\/a> check out the <\/span>black bear<\/span><\/a>, the <\/span>western garter snake<\/span><\/a>, the <\/span>Big<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Little Brown Bat<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>freshwater turtles<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n
- What do map turtles do in the winter?<\/strong><\/span><\/a> \u2013 Discover brumation in this webinar on a study of map turtles in winter with Gr\u00e9gory Bult\u00e9.<\/span><\/li>\n
- With so many of our amphibian friends brumating underwater, it\u2019s important to learn more about our waterways and how to protect them. Join the Canadian Water Resources Association in a virtual <\/span>Project WE<\/strong><\/span>T<\/strong> workshop<\/strong><\/span><\/a>. <\/span>Project WET<\/span> is a fun, hands<\/span>\u2011<\/span>on water education program that helps educators teach students about water, climate and environmental stewardship through engaging, curriculum<\/span>\u2011<\/span>linked activities.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Check out CWF\u2019s 2026 Below Zero Campaign<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
WILD Education Workshops<\/h3>\n
Whether you\u2019re a winter lover or winter hater, CWF\u2019s <\/span>Below Zero workshop<\/b><\/a> has a lesson plan for you. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nProject WILD:<\/b><\/p>\n\n- How Many Bears Can Live in the Forest? (pg. 244) <\/b>\u2013 Understand how resources and habitats affect wildlife populations.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Keeping Cool (pg. 252) <\/b>\u2013 Venture outside to investigate the temperatures in various outdoor spaces and potential hibernation shelters.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Below Zero:<\/b><\/p>\n\n- Design a Shelter (pg. 37)<\/b> \u2013 Students research what wildlife needs for a shelter, then design and construct a shelter. If done outside, you can pair with <\/span>Keeping Cool <\/b>in Project WILD<\/em> (pg. 252) to discover which shelter is the warmest.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Snow Lovers or Haters (pg. 97)<\/b> \u2013 Explains the three classifications that define how wildlife species react to winter.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Cozy in the Cold (pg. 125) <\/b>\u2013 Where do different species go in the cold? How long does it take gelatin to freeze in that location?<\/span><\/li>\n
- Snakes and Ladders (pg. 131)<\/b> \u2013 An active game to simulate the annual migration of snakes from the breeding grounds to the hibernaculum.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Want your own Below Zero handbook?<\/span><\/i> Sign up for a Below Zero workshop today!<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.cwf-fcf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/student-action-feb-640x482.png\")
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Student Action Projects<\/h3>\n
Want to make a difference for hibernators? Turn these ideas into actions that help wildlife and their winter habitat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Mind a mine<\/b><\/a> \u2013<\/span> Did you know that awakening a hibernating bat could harm it? Learn how and spread that word to stay clear of mines, for the sake of bats.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Host an <\/span>Apathy is Boring<\/b><\/a> conversation \u2013 Bring up the topic of how important it is to conserve wildlife habitat. If we don\u2019t, where will our hibernators sleep all winter?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Build a pond<\/b><\/a> \u2013 Create a habitat for your local amphibians. Ensure your pond has everything wildlife\u2014like the <\/span>Northern Leopard Frog<\/span><\/a>\u2014needs to survive the winter.\u00a0 <\/span><\/li>\n
- Build a bat house<\/b><\/a> \u2013 Bats often get evicted from attics and houses. Let\u2019s make them a house from which they won\u2019t get evicted. Learn what bats prefer for a dwelling and make them a place to call home.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
WILD Education Workshops<\/h3>\n
Whether you\u2019re a winter lover or winter hater, CWF\u2019s <\/span>Below Zero workshop<\/b><\/a> has a lesson plan for you. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Project WILD:<\/b><\/p>\n Below Zero:<\/b><\/p>\n Want your own Below Zero handbook?<\/span><\/i> Sign up for a Below Zero workshop today!<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n Want to make a difference for hibernators? Turn these ideas into actions that help wildlife and their winter habitat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n
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<\/p>\nStudent Action Projects<\/h3>\n
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