Hibernation vs. Torpor…What’s the Difference?

Animals have different ways to save energy when they face challenges like extreme cold or lack of food. Two common ways are called torpor and hibernation. Torpor is a short-term strategy where animals temporarily slow down their body functions like metabolism, temperature, and activity as needed. Hibernation is a long-term strategy that happens when animals go into deep sleep for weeks or months to save energy. During hibernation, animals usually find safe and warm places to stay until the conditions improve.

Read and Learn About Animal Survival Strategies

Help your students learn this critical information and understand more about the differences between torpor and hibernation with our printable reading comprehension passage and worksheets about the differences between the two. This resource download includes

• Hibernation vs Torpor Reading Comprehension Passage
• Vocabulary Worksheet
• Hibernation vs. Torpor Reading Comprehension Quiz
• Answer Key

Download and Print Your 5th Grade Reading Worksheets

This resource is available as an easy-to-use Google Slides or Printable PDF Resource file. To get your copy, click the dropdown arrow on the download button to select the file format you prefer. Make your copies, pass them out to your students, and you’re ready to begin!

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and Teach Starter Collaborator.

Even More Ways to Learn About Animal Survival!

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How Living Things Survive – Teaching Presentation

Use this 13-slide teaching presentation to teach your students about the physical characteristics of animals and plants, which help them meet their basic needs.