Citation
Freeze avoidance in a mammal: body temperatures below 0°C in an Arctic hibernator
TL;DR
Arctic ground squirrels can supercool to -2.9°C
This groundbreaking paper documented that Arctic ground squirrels can supercool their bodies to -2.9°C - below freezing - without ice formation. This represents the extreme end of metabolic suppression, demonstrating how far biological systems can push survival mechanisms.
Key Findings from Barnes (1989)
- Arctic ground squirrels can supercool to -2.9°C
- Body avoids freezing through supercooling mechanisms
- Represents extreme end of hibernation suppression
- Demonstrates remarkable physiological adaptation limits