Indirect body fat manipulation and its effect on hibernation cycles in Citellus lateralis

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Abstract
Observations of 92 laboratory born and raised golden-mantled ground squirrels (Citellus lateralis) revealed different growth rates and hibernation cycles between individuals with normal and maloccluded incisors. Weaned maloccluded infants fed at depressed rates and did not accumulate sufficient fat reserves for torpor to occur during their initial overwintering period. These same squirrels, after having had their incisors periodically cut during the following spring, fed at higher rates which led to both an increased peak autumn body fat content and a normalization of hibernation patterns during the second winter. The results suggest that even though the external conditions (photoperiod, temperature, food availability) may be consistent with those required for hibernation, the internal (endogenous) cycling cannot be initiated until sufficient fat levels have been attained.

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