On Hibernation
About 15 years ago several scientists reported to the annual Alaska Science Conference the results of a study on the behavior of hibernating Alaskan bears.
They had located a sleeping bear in a den and proceeded to measure the bear's body temperature. One of them would crawl into the den and insert an electrical rectal thermometer into the bear, then back out of the den quickly.
The scientists were surprised to learn that this hibernating bear moved around a great deal. The movement was interfering with the measurements of temperature because the bear kept ejecting the thermometer. This, of course, necessitated another hazardous entry into the bear's den.
At last the bear settled down, and a good series of temperature measurements were obtained. They showed that the bear's temperature dropped steadily. After some hours, the scientists became quite excited because they were measuring a temperature lower than they thought any animal experienced in hibernation. Even beyond that point the temperature of the bear slowly declined.
Finally the scientists again entered the den to withdraw the thermometer and then discovered the reason for the low temperature readings. The bear had died.
