Influence of ambient temperature on hibernation patterns and energy consumption in Daurian ground squirrels(Spermophilus dauricus)

In order to research the inflience of the ambient temperature on animals during hibernation,we used iButtons to monitor the body temperatures in winter,hibernation patterns and energy consumption of Daurian ground squirrels under different ambient temperature((5±2)℃,(15±2)℃,(25±2)℃)in laboratory.Under different ambient temperature,the hibernation patterns and energy consumption in Daurian ground squirrels were significantly diversified.At 5℃,animals all showed deep hibernation.At 15℃,both deep hibernation and short hibernation were showed.At 25℃,the more deep hibernation and the lesss no hibernation were behaved.When the temperatuer was at 5℃,15℃and25℃during hibernation,the total energy consumption was respectively(3 722±217.82)kJ,(18 907±2 895.07)kJ and(30 542±2 146.40)kJ.The diversity was significant(F(2,22)=45.198,P=00.01).From the view of energetics,the high ambient temperature is not conducive to spend winter for hibernation animals in hibernation season.