Ramadan is the holy and main month of Muslims. At this time, they begin fasting, which almost everyone is required to observe. The holiday of the month of Ramadan is a time to reflect on one’s self. Muslims give up almost all worldly goods, such as water, food, intimate relationships and any bad habits.
Features of the post
Fasting in the month of Ramadan can last up to 30 days. It occurs at different times, depending on lunar calendar, according to which it is installed. The main feature of Ramadan is that it begins every day as soon as dawn comes. Muslims perform the first prayer - the morning azan, and from that moment fasting begins, but every evening, immediately after sunset, when the last prayer of the day is completed, the evening azan, the fast ends, and it will continue only with the onset of the next morning. That is, fasting does not work at night. For this reason, it is prohibited to have sexual intercourse during this month only during the day, since there is essentially no such fast at night.
The beginning of Ramadan is heralded by the appearance of the new moon, which Muslims greet.
Early in the morning or late in the evening, after prayer, every Muslim says out loud the following words: “Today (tomorrow) I will fast for the holy month of Ramadan in the name of Allah.”
Throughout Ramadan, one can note an increase in the number of good deeds, performing good deeds and giving alms. The fact is that, according to the speeches of Muhammad, during fasting, Allah increases the significance of any good deed by 700 times, and the shaitan at this time is chained and is not able to prevent a person from doing good or performing good deeds.
On the streets in the hands of children and near houses in the month of Ramadan, you can often see lanterns - fanuses. It is a very ancient tradition to light them, especially at night. This is a kind of part of fasting, a kind of symbol. Also, in honor of the beginning of the month, fireworks and salutes are often arranged, but such joys are arranged after sunset. Some people also decorate houses, for example, with the same lanterns and different kinds of illumination.
Considering that Muslims have virtually nothing to do during the day, the streets are deserted. But at night, all the stalls with street food and entertainment open, as you can eat and have fun.
Food and water
Ramadan literally lays out all the canons hour by hour. The morning meal (suhoor) occurs before dawn, that is, before the sun has risen, you can have breakfast, but with the first rays of the sun the meal ends. After this, Fajr (pre-dawn prayer) is read. The evening meal (iftar) occurs after sunset, when it becomes dark. First you need to say it and then start eating. The meal begins by drinking three sips of water and eating a few dates.
Any dishes are served on this holiday - meat, vegetables, as well as cereals. Among the drinks, preference is given to tea, coffee, milk and water.
Water is one of the prohibitions of the month of Ramadan. However, this does not only mean refusing to drink water. Any presence of liquid in the mouth followed by swallowing is prohibited. To the point that you should not swallow water when brushing your teeth, or your partner’s saliva when kissing. If you take a shower and accidentally get water into your mouth, you should also spit it out and not swallow it.
The meaning of fasting in Ramadan
The main purpose of Ramadan is to strengthen the spirit and willpower, demonstrate faith, spiritual and physical faith and strength, control over one's thoughts and desires. That is, at this time, Muslims test themselves for strength, one might say so. This is the time when you can prove how resilient you are and show your strength of spirit.
And yet, the holy month of Ramadan is always faithfully observed by all Muslims, even if they live in another country. This is a sacred rule, one of And if someone could not, for various reasons, observe the fast, this person must observe it in some other month, but always before the next Ramadan.
Contemplation and reflection are integral companions of Ramadan. Reading the Qur'an and spending the entire day in prayer is a natural way of life throughout the fast. Muslims rethink their past actions, plan future actions, in principle, this is precisely what fasting was created for. The point is not to cleanse the body or not eat for a long time, but rather to look at one’s achievements from the outside, to realize what a person has and what is missing, to think about it all. And giving up food, water and love relationships frees up time for spiritual growth and clears your head of all unnecessary thoughts.
Who is exempt from fasting?
The beginning of the month of Ramadan is the same for everyone, however, there are people who may not observe the fast, or “postpone” it. People of a different religion, small children or adults with various psychological illnesses that prevent fasting. Pregnant and nursing mothers may also not fast. Indeed, in these cases, proper and timely food intake can affect not only health, but also a person’s life. During menstrual periods, women may also not fast, but only if they themselves want to do so.
In any case, even people suffering from mental illness or a nursing mother can fast if they want. This is dangerous, but important for Muslims, and therefore such cases also occur.
It is not necessary to fast in principle for those who are physically unable to do so. For example, if a person is seriously ill and needs to eat properly, or if he is a very elderly, almost infirm person, or if he is a traveler who needs strength for the road. For example, a lost traveler without food may even die; he needs to eat whenever possible. If a person is flying to an important meeting, he needs strength, since a difficult journey and stress can greatly undermine his health.
What can you do in Ramadan?
- Do not deviate from the rules of fasting.
- Take food or water if necessary.
- Wash yourself with water or bathe, but do not get water into your mouth.
- Do good deeds.
- Kiss without swallowing your partner's saliva.
- Donate blood.
What not to do in Ramadan
- You cannot drink alcohol in any of its forms and manifestations.
- Smoking is also prohibited.
- Inhale various strong aromatic odors.
- Place drops into eyes, nose or ears.
- Retain intestinal contents or, conversely, cause vomiting.
- Engage in sexual intercourse (during the day), and in any form.
- Place banks.
- Eat and drink.
- Use medications vaginally or rectally.
In case of violation of Ramadan
Depending on the reason, different punishments are established for breaking fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. So, for example, if the reason was illness or old age, you need to feed the poor, and the amount spent on him should be equal to the price of the food he personally consumed.
If the reason is valid: pregnancy, travel or other valid reasons. Ramadan for such people is postponed and performed at any other time, until the next Ramadan. Separately missed days of fasting, for example, due to critical days, are postponed to the next month. That is, the fast will not end at the appointed time, but after “working off” those days that the Muslim missed.
If sexual intercourse occurred during the fast during the day, this is punishable by 60 days of continuous fasting. That is, you need to fast twice as much. True, such a punishment can be replaced by feeding 60 poor people.
Regardless of the reason, any violation of fasting is a grave sin, so a person is obliged to repent.
The end of the month of Ramadan will mark the beginning of the new month of Shawwal. or Eid ul-Fitr, this is the name of the holiday that is held after sunset last day post. A ceremonial meal is held in honor of a successful Ramadan and obligatory alms are offered.
Muslim traditions are often similar to those of Catholics and Orthodox Christians. Just like Christians, Muslims fast, but instead of Easter they have their own holiday, which is called Ramadan. The history and traditions of the holiday, of course, differ from Christian ones, but the meaning remains the same - to show tolerance, strong-willed qualities, strengthen faith and rethink the way of life.
Ramadan: history and traditions of the holiday
The date of Ramadan is determined by a special commission of theologians. Approximately this happens on the 9th month according to the lunar calendar, and the day is selected according to the position of the moon. When Islam was just beginning, the holiday of Ramadan fell on the summer months, which is reflected in the name and means “bursting with heat,” “hot.” According to legend, on the night of Ramadan, the Prophet Muhammad received a divine “revelation”, after which he gave the mission entrusted to him and gave the people the Koran. It is believed that during this period, Allah decides the destinies of people, therefore all Muslims honor and observe the conditions of the holiday.
Throughout the month, Muslims observe fasting (“eid”). There are basic rules that must be followed during the prayer:
- Refuse water and food. The first meal should take place before dawn. Lunch and all kinds of snacks are completely excluded, liquid in any form ( pure water, compote, tea, kefir) should not be consumed during the day. Dinner occurs at the time when “a black thread can be distinguished from a white thread.”
- from intimate relationships. The rule applies even to legally married spouses. During fasting, it is not advisable to engage in caresses that excite partners.
- Refrain from smoking and taking any drugs. It is also prohibited for steam, cigarette smoke, flour and dust to enter the body.
- You cannot lie while swearing in the name of Allah.
- It is prohibited to chew chewing gum and deliberately induce vomiting.
Compared to Christian Lent, the rules are quite strict and difficult to implement. However, there are exceptions for those who are traveling at the time of fasting, are ill, or due to certain circumstances are unable to observe strict taboos. In this case, the missed days are transferred to the next month. Many people, when fasting, become low-energy and lacking initiative. Company owners complain about a decrease in the volume of work performed and a general decline in the pace of business development.
How is the Muslim holiday Ramadan celebrated?
Some people believe that the holy holiday of Ramadan means observing the strict rules of fasting and often ask the only question: what, in fact, is to be celebrated? However, the apogee of the celebration occurs at the end of the fast, which is designated as Ramadan Bayram. The celebration begins on the last day of the month of Ramadan at sunset and lasts on the 1st-2nd of the next month. At the end of the collective prayer, Muslims organize a festive meal, during which they treat not only relatives and friends, but also poor people on the streets. A prerequisite for identity is the distribution of alms, which is listed as fitrah or “alms at the end of the fast.” 
Fitra can be paid in food or money, and its amount is calculated depending on the material well-being of the family.
If you find yourself in a Muslim country during Ramadan, try to show respect for believers and observe restrictions on in public places. Restrictions do not apply in your personal room or apartment. During daylight hours, restaurants and cafes mainly work for delivery. The exception is hotel restaurants, where the entrance is only covered with a screen. Of course, similar restrictions apply in countries with strong religious policies: Iran, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan.
A person far from Islam could have repeatedly heard different interpretations of the sacred holiday marking the end of Lent. And perhaps you wondered how to pronounce “Ramadan” or “Ramadan” correctly in the original version? And are these two words the same in meaning? Today we will try to explain what causes such differences in sound between similar words.
What is Ramadan
Ramadan (or Ramadan): what does this mean for a Muslim? From Arabic, this term is translated as “hot”, “scorching heat”, and also denotes the ninth month of the lunar calendar. The Islamic calendar counts by moon, starting with the new moon. For this reason, Ramadan comes 10-11 days earlier every year.
When Ramadan begins, the believer must follow the injunctions of the Koran and fast. Children, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, elderly people, the sick and travelers are exempt from it. Because for this category of people, abstaining from food and water can affect their health. We know what Ramazan or Ramadan is. How do they spend it?
Lent for Muslims
For 29-30 years, the entire world, of which there are about 1 billion people on the planet, will fast Ramadan in the name of atonement for sins and adherence to faith. This is a very strict fast, which implies that a person will abstain from food, water, and bad habits, foul language and other things - from sunrise to sunset. And only when the sun disappears below the horizon can a Muslim satisfy his needs for food and drink.
In addition to abstaining from food, water and showing kindness and love for one’s neighbor, the believer must read prayer in the mornings and evenings. It is generally accepted that at this time Allah watches the actions of people. Therefore, Muslims all over the world read prayers, the Koran, give mercy to the needy, and feed the hungry. Believers are also of the opinion that during Ramadan, Shaitan (the devil) is chained so that he does not interfere with people doing good deeds.
Which is correct: Ramazan or Ramadan?
Turkic peoples call strict fasting “Uraza,” and Muslims call it “Ramadan.” Some may pronounce "Ramadan" (for example, the people of Turkey), which does not contradict the meaning, but is not true. The thing is that the third syllable of the word “dan” sounds very similar to “zan”. For their convenience, the old generation of residents of Muslim villages pronounced this term by replacing the letter “d” with “z”, which subsequently spread among the rest of the population.
But when reading the Koran, such a replacement is unforgivable, especially for other words, the meaning of which can change if pronounced incorrectly. It happens that out of ignorance or habit, imams resort to the "slang" style. It is appropriate to draw a conclusion on the question of how it is right - Ramadan or Ramadan. The first is a matter of everyday habit, and the latter is correct from a philological point of view.
How Uzbeks pronounce the name of the holy month
Which is correct, Ramadan or Ramadan - we figured it out. And also received an answer whether these two words mean the same thing. Of course yes. If you hear words like “Uraza”, “Ramadan”, “Ramadan”, then you can be sure that we're talking about about the holy month when Muslims around the world hold a strict fast.
How do Uzbeks say: Ramadan or Ramadan? Here, by analogy with other Muslims, there are two versions. One is of Arabic meaning, and the other is of Turkic. Therefore, both versions of the pronunciation of this word are found in various sources.
It is important to note that the end of the fast is marked by a great and bright holiday. It is celebrated all over the world, and this day is officially declared a red day of the calendar, a day off in those regions where there is a Muslim religion.
Ramadan is a holy month in Islam, in 2018 it begins on May 15 at sunset and ends on June 14 in the evening, after which the holiday of Eid al-Fitr (Turkic name “Eid al-Adha”) will begin.
Ramadan, a month of fasting and spiritual purification, can begin at different times in different Muslim countries - this depends on the method of astronomical calculation or direct observation of the phases of the Moon.
Muslims congratulate each other on the onset of Ramadan, since it was in this month that the Holy Quran was revealed, which plays a special role in the life of every believer.
The month of Ramadan, which Muslim believers consider their main responsibility per year is very important in Islam. This is a holy month of obligatory fasting and daily prayers - a time to earn eternal Paradise.
During the holy month of Ramadan, many deeds can earn great rewards: fasting, five daily prayers (namaz), Taraweeh prayer, sincere du'a, evening (iftar) and pre-dawn meals (suhoor), as well as donations and many others good deeds and deeds.
The righteous believe that fasting helps a Muslim control negative emotions and qualities, such as anger, hatred, greed, and also fight the passions that overcome him.
In Islam, people hope to get closer to the Almighty through fasting. And since getting closer to Allah is the meaning of a believer’s life, fasting occupies an important place in Islam. First of all, fasting is intended to pacify the soul and body, as well as to accurately fulfill the instructions of Allah.
The holy fast of Ramadan begins at dawn and ends at sunset - during the daytime, the faithful refuse to eat.
In Islam, during fasting, there are two night meals: Suhur - pre-dawn and Iftar - evening. It is advisable to complete the pre-dawn meal at least half an hour before dawn, and iftar should begin immediately after the evening prayer.
Compliance with these two meals is encouraged by an additional reward, although skipping is not a violation of the fast. According to the Koran, the best food for a night meal is water and dates.
The Prophet Muhammad also spoke about the importance of eating before dawn. He said: “Take food before dawn on fasting days! Truly, in suhoor is God’s grace (barakat)!”
Muslims throughout Ramadan spend the morning meal before dawn. They believe that Allah will greatly reward such an action. Overeating during suhoor is not worth it, but you should eat enough food - it gives strength for the whole day.
The evening meal should be started immediately after sunset, that is, after the fourth, penultimate prayer on this day.
Isha - night prayer - the last of the five obligatory daily prayers, follows after iftar. Doctors do not recommend skipping iftar, it can have a bad effect on the body.
It is recommended to consume complex carbohydrates during suhoor - vegetable salad, sprouted grain bread, cereal dishes. Complex carbohydrates provide the body with energy, despite the fact that they are digested for a long time. Dried fruits - dates, nuts - almonds and fruits - bananas are also suitable.
In the morning, you should not eat protein foods - it loads the liver, which works without interruption during fasting. At this time of the day, you should not eat fried, fatty and smoked foods, as well as fish, as you will want to drink after it. You also need to give up coffee.
Meat and vegetable dishes can be eaten during iftar, as well as cereals and sweets in small quantities. By the way, sweets can be replaced with dates or fruits. But you need to drink a lot of water. You can also drink compote, tea, fruit drink, juice and jelly.
It is not advisable to take fatty and fried foods in the evening - it will cause heartburn and be deposited in extra pounds. Fast food products - various cereals in bags, should also be excluded from the evening diet. Such dishes will not satiate you, and in just an hour or two you will want to eat again, as they contain salt and other spices.
During the Ramadan fast, it is better to exclude sausages and frankfurters from the menu altogether. Sausages, which have a bad effect on the liver and kidneys and satisfy hunger for only a few hours, are able to develop thirst.
Every adult Muslim is required to fast during Ramadan. During fasting, everyone must adhere to the established rules - pray a lot and confirm daily their intention to participate in this holiday in the name of Allah.
Muslims during the month of Ramadan in the daytime, in order to atone for their sins, refuse not only food, but also drinking, smoking and intimacy.
Ramadan is a holy month, which is intended to cleanse the soul and body, to rethink life in general. Therefore, Allah will not count the fulfillment of religious duty without daily prayers (namaz).
During this strict fast one should abstain from evil thoughts and intentions, perform prayers more often, and avoid defamatory actions and ungodly people.
Old people and warriors, sick people, travelers, pregnant and lactating women, as well as children are exempt from fasting during holy Ramadan. Compensation of the fast is obligatory in another, more favorable period.
The fast is broken during the holy month of Ramadan and the following actions require atonement (kaffara) - deliberate consumption of food, liquid, medicine and everything that is suitable for consumption, as well as smoking and marital intimacy.
The following circumstances that violate the fast also require compensation: use of an enema; ingestion of drugs into the body through the nose and ears; water entering the nasopharynx during ablution; deliberately inducing vomiting; the beginning of menstruation or the postpartum period.
A Muslim who breaks his fast must pay a certain amount of money or food to the needy, thus making up for the fast.
Entering into intimate relationships is one of the most serious violations. For this violation, a Muslim must either feed 60 poor people or observe 60 days of continuous strict fasting.
The last ten days of fasting are especially strict and responsible, since the most important night of the year for every Muslim - Laylat al-Qadr or the Night of Power and Predestination - falls on one of the last 10 nights of Ramadan.
According to legend, it was at this time that the Prophet Muhammad received the first revelations from the Archangel Jebrail - he went down to the praying prophet and gave him the Koran. Although, some sources indicate that the Night of Power and Predestination falls on the 27th of Ramadan
An entire sura is dedicated to this Night in the Holy Koran - “Inna anzalnagu”. It says that the Night of Power is better than a thousand months without it.
Moscow Cathedral Mosque during the Muslim holiday of Ramadan
It is believed that the fate of every person - his life path, the difficulties and trials that must be passed through - is predetermined in heaven in Laylat al-Qadr, reports the Rosregister website. And if a true believer spends this night in prayer, in understanding his actions and possible mistakes, then Allah will be merciful and forgive him his sins. Therefore, Muslims try to pray with great zeal during the holy month of Ramadan and adhere to the instructions of Allah. It is believed that for the good deeds performed during Ramadan, Allah rewards believers a hundredfold, bestowing them with prosperity, health and good luck.
Throughout Ramadan, Muslims must read the Koran, devote their time to pious thoughts and actions, work and charity. In addition, to the usual five prayers a day, one more is added - “tarawih”.
"Taraweeh" means voluntary prayer, which is performed in the holy month of Ramadan after the night prayer (Isha). Tarawih is an obligatory sunnah (sunnah muakkyada) for both men and women.
The Prophet Muhammad performed this prayer on the 23rd, 25th and 27th nights of the month of Ramadan together with his companions in the mosque. And so that people would not perceive this prayer as obligatory, the prophet did not offer it daily.
After every four rak'yaats (the order of words and actions that make up the Muslim prayer), following the example of the companions of the prophet, it is advisable to take a short break. At this time, it is recommended to indulge in thoughts about God, praise and remember the Almighty, or listen to a short sermon.
The holy month of Ramadan ends with the second most important holiday - Eid al-Fitr or the so-called Feast of Conversation. The holiday begins after sunset on the last day of Ramadan.
At this time, Muslims should indulge in reflection on spiritual values and rethink life during the period of fasting. Eid al-Fitr is considered a holiday of salvation from hell - a day of love, reconciliation and friendly handshakes. On the holiday, it is customary to visit the disadvantaged and care for the elderly.
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Sections: Biology
Goals: increase the areas of student knowledge; learn to analyze the phenomenon of temporary cessation of vital activity in living organisms that use it as a means to adapt and survive in unfavorable conditions.
Equipment: tables of mollusks, crustaceans, insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals.
The winter season is unfavorable for many representatives of the animal and plant world, both due to low temperatures and a sharp reduction in the ability to obtain food. During evolutionary development, many species of animals and plants acquired unique adaptive mechanisms to survive in unfavorable seasons. In some species of animals, the instinct to create food reserves arose and became established; others have developed another adaptation - migration. Strikingly long flights of many species of birds, migration of some species of fish and other representatives of the animal world are known. However, in the process of evolution in many species of animals, another perfect physiological mechanism of adaptation was noticed - the ability to fall into a lifeless state at first glance, which manifests itself differently in different species of animals and has different names (anabiosis, hypothermia, etc.). Meanwhile, all these conditions are characterized by inhibition of the body's vital functions to the minimum that allows it to survive adverse winter conditions without eating. Such a state of imaginary death falls into those species of animals that are not able to provide themselves with food in winter and for them there is a danger of death from cold and hunger. And all this, developed in the process of evolution, is subject to strict natural expediency - the need to preserve the species.
Hibernation is a widespread phenomenon in nature, despite the fact that its manifestations are different in representatives of certain groups of animals, whether they are animals with unstable body temperature (poikilothermic), also called cold-blooded, in which the body temperature depends on the ambient temperature, or animals with a constant body temperature (homeothermic), also called warm-blooded.
Among the animals with an unstable body temperature, various types of mollusks, crustaceans, arachnids, insects, fish, amphibians and reptiles go into hibernation, and among the animals with a constant body temperature, several species of birds and many species of mammals.
How do snails winter?
Of the soft-bodied type, many species of snails hibernate (for example, all land snails). Common garden snails enter hibernation in October, which lasts until early April. After a long preparatory period, during which they accumulate the necessary nutrients in their bodies, the snails find or dig holes so that several individuals can overwinter together deep underground, where the temperature will be maintained at 7 - 8 ° C. Having sealed the burrows well, the snails descend to the bottom and lie down with the shell opening facing up. They then close this opening, releasing a slimy substance that soon hardens and becomes elastic (film-like). With a significant cooling and lack of nutrients in the body, the snails burrow even deeper into the ground and form another film, thus creating air chambers that play the role of an excellent insulator. It has been established that during a long winter, snails lose more than 20% of their weight, with the greatest loss occurring in the first 25-30 days. This is explained by the fact that all metabolic processes gradually die out in order to reach the minimum at which the animal falls almost into a state of suspended animation with barely perceptible vital functions. During hibernation, the snail does not feed and breathing almost stops. In spring, when the first warm days and the soil temperature reaches 8-10° C, when vegetation begins to develop and the first rains fall, snails crawl out of their winter shelters. Then intensive activity begins to restore the depleted food reserves in their body; this is expressed in the absorption of a huge amount of food compared to their body.
Pond water snails also enter a state of hibernation - most of them bury themselves in the silt at the bottom of the reservoir in which they live.
Where do crayfish spend the winter?
Everyone knows the popular threat: “I’ll show you where the crayfish spend the winter!” It is believed that this saying appeared during the times of serfdom, when landowners, punishing guilty serfs, forced them to catch crayfish in the winter. Meanwhile, it is known that this is almost impossible, since crayfish spend the winter buried deep in holes at the bottom of reservoirs.
From a systematic point of view, the class of crustaceans is divided into two subclasses - higher and lower crustaceans.
Among the higher crustaceans, river, marsh and lake crayfish fall into a state of hibernation. Males overwinter in groups in deep holes at the bottom, and females alone in burrows, and in November they glue fertilized eggs to their short legs, from which crustaceans the size of an ant hatch only in June.
Of the lower crustaceans, water fleas (genus Daphnia) are of interest. They lay, depending on conditions, two types of eggs - summer and winter. Winter eggs have a durable shell and are formed when unfavorable living conditions occur. For some species of lower crustaceans, drying and even freezing of eggs is a necessary condition to continue their development.
Diapause in insects
In terms of the number of species, insects surpass all other classes. Their body temperature depends on environment, which has a strong impact on the speed of vital influences, and low temperatures significantly reduce this speed. At negative temperatures, the entire development of the insect slows down or practically stops. This anabiotic state, known as “diapause,” is a reversible cessation of developmental processes and is caused by external factors. Diapause occurs when conditions unfavorable for life arise and continues throughout the winter until, with the onset of spring, conditions become more favorable.
The onset of the winter season finds different types of insects at different stages of their development, in which they overwinter - in the form of eggs, larvae, pupae or adult forms, but usually each individual species enters diapause at a certain stage of its development. For example, the seven-spotted ladybug overwinters as an adult.
It is characteristic that the wintering of insects is preceded by a certain physiological preparation of their body, consisting of the accumulation of free glycerol in their tissues, which prevents freezing. This occurs at the stage of insect development in which they will spend the winter.
Even with the onset of the first signs of a cold snap in autumn, insects find convenient shelters (under stones, under the bark of trees, under fallen leaves in burrows in the soil, etc.), where, after a snowfall, the temperature is moderately low and uniform.
The duration of diapause in insects is directly related to the reserves of fat in the body. The bees do not fall into a long diapause, but still at a temperature of 0 to 6 ° C they become numb and can stay in this state for 7-8 days. At lower temperatures they die.
It is also interesting how insects accurately determine the moment when they should exit the anabiotic state. Scientist N.I. Kalabukhov studied suspended animation in some species of butterflies. He found that the duration of diapause varies among individual species. For example, the peacock butterfly remained in a state of suspended animation for 166 days at a temperature of 5.9 ° C, while the silkworm needed 193 days at a temperature of 8.6 ° C. According to the scientist, even differences in geographic area affect the duration of diapause.
Do fish hibernate during the winter?
Some species of a wide class of fish also adapt to low water temperatures in winter in a unique way. The normal body temperature of fish is not constant and corresponds to the temperature of the water. When the water temperature suddenly drops sharply, the fish go into a state of shock. However, it is enough for the water to warm up, and they quickly “come to life”. Experiments have shown that frozen fish come to life only in cases where their blood vessels do not freeze.
Some fish that live in Arctic waters adapt to low water temperatures in winter in an original way: they change their blood composition. As the water temperature drops in the fall, salts accumulate in their blood in such a concentration as is typical for sea water, and at the same time the blood freezes with great difficulty (a kind of antifreeze).
Of the freshwater fish, carp, ruffe, perch, catfish and others go into hibernation back in November. When the water temperature drops below 8 - 10°C, these fish move to deeper parts of the reservoirs, bury themselves in large groups in the mud and remain there in a state of hibernation throughout the winter.
Some marine fish also endure extreme cold while hibernating. So, for example, herring already in autumn approach the coast of the Arctic Ocean in order to fall into a state of hibernation at the bottom of some small bay. The Black Sea anchovy also winters in the southern regions of the sea - off the coast of Georgia; at this time it is not active and does not consume food. And before the onset of winter, the Azov anchovy migrates to the Black Sea, where it gathers in groups in a relatively sedentary state.
Hibernation in fish is characterized by extremely limited activity, complete cessation of nutrition and a sharp decrease in metabolism. At this time, their body is supported by nutrient reserves accumulated due to abundant nutrition in the autumn.
Hibernation of amphibians
In terms of lifestyle and structure, the class of amphibians is transitional between typically aquatic vertebrates and typically terrestrial animals. It is known that different kinds frogs, newts, and salamanders also spend the unfavorable winter season in a state of torpor, since these are animals with an unstable body temperature, which depends on the ambient temperature.
It has been established that winter hibernation of frogs lasts from 130 to 230 days and its duration depends on the duration of winter.
In water bodies, in order to overwinter, frogs gather in groups of 10-20 individuals, bury themselves in silt, underwater depressions and other voids. During hibernation, frogs breathe only through their skin.
In winter, newts usually roost under warm, rotten stumps and trunks of fallen trees. If they do not find such comfortable “apartments” nearby, they are satisfied with cracks in the soil.
Reptiles also hibernate
From the class of reptiles, almost all species of our fauna fall into a state of hibernation in winter. Low winter temperatures are the main reason for this phenomenon.
Winter quarters are usually underground caves or voids formed around large old stumps with rotten roots, crevices in rocks and other places that are inaccessible to their enemies. A large number of snakes gather in such shelters, forming huge snake balls. It has been established that the temperature of snakes during hibernation is almost no different from the ambient temperature.
Most species of lizards (meadow, striped, green, forest, spindle) also hibernate, burying themselves in the soil, in burrows that are not threatened by flooding. On warm, sunny days in winter, lizards may “awaken” and crawl out of their winter shelters for a few hours to hunt, after which they retreat back into their burrows, falling into a state of torpor.
Swamp turtles spend the winter burrowing into the silt of the reservoirs in which they live, while land turtles climb to a depth of up to 0.5 m into the soil in some natural shelters or holes of moles, foxes, rodents, covering themselves with peat, moss and wet leaves.
Preparations for wintering begin in October, when turtles accumulate fat. In the spring, with temporary warming, they wake up, sometimes for a whole week.
Do birds hibernate in winter?
Most animals with an unstable body temperature, which depends on the environment, fall into a state of hibernation. But it is surprising that many animals with a constant body temperature, for example, birds, can also hibernate during unfavorable seasons. It is known that most birds avoid unfavorable winter conditions by migrating. Aristotle, in his multi-volume History of Animals, drew attention to the fact that “some birds fly away to spend the winter in warm countries, while others take refuge in various shelters where they hibernate.”
This conclusion was also reached by the prominent Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus, who wrote in his work “The System of Nature”: “In the autumn, when the weather begins to get colder, swallows, not finding enough insects for food, begin to seek shelter for the winter in reed thickets along the banks of lakes and rivers. "
The torpor into which some species of birds fall differs significantly from the hibernation characteristic of many mammals. First of all, the bird’s body not only does not accumulate energy reserves in the form of fat, but, on the contrary, consumes a significant part of it. While mammals go into hibernation, having noticeably gained weight, birds lose a lot of weight before stupor. That is why the phenomenon of torpor in birds, according to the Soviet biologist R. Potapov, should be called not hibernation, but hypothermia.
Until now, the mechanism of hypothermia in birds has not been fully studied. The fall of birds into a state of stupor under adverse living conditions is an adaptive physiological reaction that has been fixed in the process of evolution.
What mammals hibernate?
As in those animals that were discussed earlier, in mammals, hibernation is a biological adaptation for surviving an unfavorable season of the year. Despite the fact that animals with a constant body temperature usually tolerate cold climate conditions, the lack of suitable food in winter has caused some of them to acquire and gradually consolidate in the process of evolution this peculiar instinct - spending the unfavorable winter season in an inactive state of hibernation.
There are three types of hibernation based on the degree of torpor:
1) mild torpor that easily stops (raccoons, badgers, bears, raccoon dogs);
2) complete torpor, accompanied by periodic awakenings only on warmer winter days (hamsters, chipmunks, bats);
3) real continuous hibernation, which is a stable, prolonged torpor (gophers, hedgehogs, marmots, jerboas).
Winter hibernation in mammals is preceded by a certain physiological preparation of the body. It consists primarily of the accumulation of fat reserves, mainly under the skin. In some winter hibernators, subcutaneous fat reaches 25% of their total body weight. For example, ground squirrels gain weight even at the beginning of autumn, increasing their body weight three times compared to the spring-summer weight. Before hibernation, hedgehogs and brown bears, as well as all bats, become significantly fatter.
Other mammals, such as hamsters and chipmunks, do not accumulate large reserves of fat, but store food in their shelter for use during their brief awakening periods in winter.
During hibernation, all species of mammals lie motionless in their burrows, curled up into a ball. This is the best way to preserve heat and limit heat exchange with the environment. The winter quarters of many mammals are the natural cavities of stems and tree hollows.
Among the insectivorous mammals, the hedgehog, in preparation for hibernation, collects moss, leaves, hay in a secluded place and makes a nest for itself. But it “settles” in its new home only when the temperature remains below 10° C for a long time. Before this, the hedgehog eats heavily in order to accumulate energy in the form of fat.
Winter hibernation of brown bears is a slight torpor. In nature, in the summer, a bear accumulates a thick layer of subcutaneous fat and, just before the onset of winter, settles down in its den for hibernation. Usually the den is covered with snow, so it is much warmer inside than outside. During hibernation, accumulated fat reserves are used by the bear's body as a source of nutrients, and also protect the animal from freezing.
From a physiological point of view, hibernation in mammals is characterized by a weakening of all vital functions of the body to the minimum that would allow them to survive unfavorable winter conditions without food.
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