Winter presents unique challenges for many of species. With temperatures dropping and food becoming scarcer, many animals rely on a remarkable adaptation to survive the colder months: hibernation. Many people think that hibernation is simply an extended nap- but hibernation is much more than that. It’s a finely tuned state where animals slow their metabolism, heart rate, and breathing to preserve energy. Here in the UK, common garden wildlife like hedgehogs, bats, frogs, and even some insects depend on this process to get through winter.

Why Gardens Matter for Hibernating Wildlife

For Ribble Rivers Trust, gardens form an essential part of a catchment-based approach to conservation, which considers how each area within our river catchment can positively impact river health. By creating a wildlife-friendly garden, you can play a small but very important role in protecting local ecosystems and river systems, directly benefiting the wildlife and water quality of the wider Ribble catchment!

Types of Hibernation

When we think of hibernation, we often imagine animals going to sleep for the winter, but the reality is much more complex. There are several forms of dormancy, each with distinct characteristics that help animals survive through winter’s challenges.

Torpor

Not all animals undergo prolonged hibernation; some, like red squirrels and badgers, experience torpor. Torpor is a short-term, involuntary state of inactivity that an animal enters when temperatures drop. While animals in torpor may appear inactive, they can wake up and become alert relatively quickly if necessary. This adaptation allows them to respond to changes in weather and surroundings, unlike true hibernators who remain in deep slumber.

Diapause

Diapause is unique to many insects, and it can occur at different stages of their life cycle—whether as eggs, larvae, or adults. It’s essentially a state of suspended animation, where growth and development pause until weather conditions improve. Ladybirds, for example, enter diapause in cold weather, often clustering in groups in sheltered areas. This adaptation helps them coordinate their lifecycle with the arrival of warmer seasons.

Understanding these different types of dormancy is important because each one supports specific needs and survival strategies for UK wildlife. By supporting these animals through winter, we help ensure their populations remain healthy and resilient, which benefits the entire ecosystem.

Helping Hibernating Wildlife: Creating a Winter Haven

Making your garden a wildlife-friendly winter haven doesn’t require much effort, but it can make a huge difference to hibernating animals. Here’s how to help:

Provide Safe Shelter and Avoid Disturbance

Small mammals like hedgehogs, as well as frogs and insects, often hibernate under piles of leaves, logs, or branches. Leaving parts of your garden untouched is a simple way to support these animals. You can create a specific ‘wild corner’ where they can shelter, or you might build a small log pile covered with leaves and branches for added insulation. This wild corner offers both protection from predators and a safe space for hibernation. Before clearing any garden debris in winter, check carefully to ensure you aren’t disturbing any hibernating creatures. Avoid moving or burning piles of leaves and be cautious if you’re clearing areas that might be used as hibernation spots.

Winter-Proof Your Pond

Ponds are critical habitats for amphibians like frogs and newts, which often hibernate in the mud or under leaves at the bottom of a pond. To keep them safe, remove excess leaves before winter, as decaying plant matter releases gases under the ice that can harm aquatic life. Placing a floating ball on the surface can prevent freezing, ensuring the animals get the oxygen they need. If the pond does freeze over, never break the ice by force; use a hot pan to melt a small area instead, as this avoids shocking the pond’s inhabitants.

Keep a Source of Fresh Water Available

Even though many animals hibernate many birds and mammals will remain active, and they need a water source for drinking and bathing. A bird bath, kept ice-free, will make your garden an important spot for wildlife all winter long. You could also consider getting a bird feeder or two, you’ll soon be rewarded with plenty of visiting birds. Be sure to replace the water regularly an clean bird baths and bird feeders.

Small Gardens, Big Impact

Your garden might seem small, but collectively, these efforts across the catchment add up to significant change, creating a mosaic of habitats that have the potential to support a huge amount of biodiversity. Each wildlife-friendly garden supports the overall health of the Ribble catchment, protecting not just the rivers but also the landscapes and animals that depend on them.