Energetics of hibernation in woodchucks (Marmota monax)

Woodchucks hibernate singly with a daily mass loss of 5.27g and a specific mass loss (DML) or 1.94. Woodchucks have a higher metabolism than yellow-be llied marmots, who also hibernate singly. Woodchucks allocate a greater per centage of time and energy to euthermy, spend less time torpid and save les s energy during hibernation than do yellow-bellied marmots, and save about the same amount of energy as alpine marmots. Woodchucks rely on a combinati on of large body size and a short hibernation period as the major hibernati on strategy whereas the yellow-bellied marmot is energetically more efficie nt and the alpine marmot utilizes social thermoregulation.