Citation
Body mass, metabolic rate, heart rate, and respiratory quotient during hibernation in black bears
TL;DR
Quantified metabolic rate reduction during bear hibernation
Early quantitative study of bear hibernation physiology providing baseline data on metabolic rates, heart rates, and mass loss. This data contributed to understanding emergence energy requirements.
Key Findings from Watts et al. (1987)
- Quantified metabolic rate reduction during bear hibernation
- Measured heart rate changes during dormancy
- Documented body mass changes throughout hibernation cycle