How Illinois Animals Take on Winter written by Grace Finnel-Gudwein When the weather turns cold and winter comes here in Illinois, the cozy, soft sweaters come out, the warm, crackling fireplaces are lit, and delicious, stick-to-your-bones meals are prepared. Animals in the state, though, do not have this luxury. Instead, they have their own mechanisms for surviving the winter. From hibernation, to migration, to a chilly staycation, native Illinois animals all have their own unique ways to survive the cold winters. One Illinois animal that hibernates over the winter is the groundhog. The same animal as a woodchuck, groundhogs are a true hibernating species, which means when they go to sleep in the winter, their metabolism, body temperature, and heart rate all drop. For groundhogs, this means their breathing rate drops to two breaths per minute, 37 degrees Fahrenheit body temperature, and five heart beats per minute, according to the National Wildlife Federation.Hibernation begins as early as late October and can last until early
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