Frogs and turtles bury themselves in the mud below the frostline. They get oxygen from air trapped in the mud. In the spring when the sun warms the mud, out they ll come. Some snakes head underground to hibernate, others gather together in sheltered places, like rotted out logs. Imagine walking in the woods on a spring day and coming across a bunch of snakes emerging from their wintering spot.
Hibernation is still somewhat of a mystery and an amazing animal adaptation.
The next time your re sitting around the fireplace all snug, warming up after playing outside, think about all the animals that are sleeping, snug in the snow. If you d like to learn more about hibernation, here are a couple of books you can look for at the library. Animals That Hibernate by Larry Dane Brimner, 1991. A First Book Do Not Disturb by Margery Facklam. Illustrations by Pamela Johnson.