![]() ![]() ![]() Warmer temperatures and less snow accumulation in the winter-caused by climate change-likely will cause altered emergence dates. Immergence date and duration of the longest torpor bout were negatively associated with body mass. Duration of the heterothermal period, number of euthermic bouts, and total time spent euthermic were positively associated with body mass. Mean minimum skin temperature was negatively associated with canopy closure and slope of a squirrel’s hibernaculum. ![]() Emergence date was positively associated with snowpack and negatively associated with mean winter temperature. We explored a suite of intrinsic and extrinsic factors to document the extent to which they influenced hibernation behavior of northern Idaho ground squirrels. Hibernating species can respond to climate-change-induced thermal challenges in two ways: change their hibernation physiology and behavior (i.e., emergence date or number of torpor bouts) or alter their environment (i.e., change hibernacula depth or location). Changes in temperature, snow accumulation, and summer precipitation, all brought about as a result of climate change, may reduce survival or fecundity of northern Idaho ground squirrels if they cannot adapt to these climate changes. Howell, 1928), is a federally threatened species that hibernates for approximately 8 months per year within the bounds of its small range in central Idaho, USA. The northern Idaho ground squirrel, Urocitellus brunneus (A. A key question in contemporary ecology is whether rare, range-restricted species can change their behavior in response to climate change (i.e., through behavioral plasticity). Hibernation is an adaptation to survive periods of stress, from food limitation or harsh thermal conditions. ![]()
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