When Do Animals Aestivate?

It takes place during times of heat and dryness, the hot dry season, which are often the summer months. Invertebrate and vertebrate animals are known to enter this state to avoid damage from high temperatures and the risk of desiccation. Both terrestrial and aquatic animals undergo aestivation.

Why do animals aestivate?

Aestivation occurs in animals living in deserts and tropical regions. This is done to protect themselves from hot and dry climate, and due to the scarcity of food water. This can be seen in earthworms, molluscs, arthropods, reptiles and amphibians. A lungfish can aestivate and survive without water for three years.

What animals do aestivation?

Animals who estivate include the fat-tailed lemur (the first mammal discovered who estivates); many reptiles and amphibians, including the North American desert tortoise, the spotted turtle, the California tiger salamader, and the water-holding frog; certain air-breathing land snails; and some insects, including bees, ...