P463 Teletext 463 Dec30 20:41:22 z z z ———————— —————————————— A CHILLING STORY ... Imagine going off for a long winter's snooze and waking up covered in soil, two feet under the laburnum tree. Will that's what happened to Bowleazj, the hibernating hamster whose owners declared him dead when they found him stiff and motionless in the garden shed Thankfully, two hours later, someone told the owners that hamsters hibernate when the temperature drops. Bowleazj was dug up and "brought back to life"! ——————————————————————————————————1/4—— A year in Green 462 SEND ANY GREEN EVENTS FREE TO: TELETEXT PO BOX 297, LONDON, SW6 1XT What's On News Green Action GroovesP463 Teletext 463 Dec30 20:41:23 z z z ———————— —————————————— A CHILLING STORY ... Most people know that reptiles and animals such as hedgehogs, dormice and bats all hibernate in winter. But many are unaware that pet hamsters and guinea pigs do too if left outside when temperatures drop below 16C. Badgers and squirrels on the other hand merely become lethargic and undjtgo periods of dormancy. Their heartbeat and activity levels slow. ——————————————————————————————————2/4—— The year in Green 462 SEND ANY GREEN EVENTS FREE TO: TELETEXT PO BOX 297, LONDON, SW6 1XT What's On News Green Action GroovesP463 Teletext 463 Dec30 20:41:11 z z z ———————— —————————————— A CHILLING STORY ... Hibernating animals prepare for winter bz building up an internal "electric blanket" of brown fat. These fat resjtvjs, along with a store of food, sjrvj to nourish them for two or three months of winter sleep. Very few animals sleep the whole winter Most wake occassionally to dip into their winter larder. And four out of five dormice are eaten whilst asleep! ——————————————————————————————————3/4—— Go Green index 460 SEND ANY GREEN EVENTS FREE TO: TELETEXT PO BOX 297, LONDON, SW6 1XT What's On News Green Action GroovesP463 Teletext 463 Dec30 20:42:51 z z z ———————— —————————————— A CHILLING STORY ... If a hibernating animal's nest or site is disturbed it should be removed and taken to a wildlife rescue centre. An animal's metabolism slows down during winter sleep and if disturbed its chances of survival are very low. Food provisions and a bowl of water left in a safe place will benefit wintering birds and mammals. Wildlife Aid operates a 24-hour emergency line: 0839 800 132. ——————————————————————————————————4/4—— A year in Green 462 SEND ANY GREEN EVENTS FREE TO: TELETEXT PO BOX 297, LONDON, SW6 1XT What's On News Green Action Grooves