Daily Torpor

Introduction

• Daily torpor is a brief period of reduced activity observed in animals.
• It is a short-term adaptation to lower the metabolic rate, particularly in animals with high metabolic rates.

Characteristics of Daily Torpor

• Daily torpor typically lasts only a few hours, in contrast to the much longer hibernation.
• During this time, the animal's metabolic rate is significantly reduced.
• Daily torpor can help animals conserve energy, especially when resources are scarce.

Example: Hummingbirds

• Hummingbirds are known to use daily torpor as a survival strategy.
• They enter daily torpor during the night when their metabolic rate naturally decreases.
• This reduced metabolic rate allows them to save energy and survive until daylight.