Hibernating Animals
Copyright 2013 by Nancy Stewart
This song may be downloaded for free and used for any purpose that is not for profit.

Hibernation is pretty complicated, but you can use this simple song to introduce the concept to children beginning with a discussion with the following limited facts:
Not all animals hibernate
Animals that do hibernate go into a deep sleep, sometimes for many months
Animals don’t eat while they are hibernating
Animals begin and end hibernation depending on when it gets cold and warms up, and
    it’s different for different animals.

I suggest you check out an easy non-fiction book about hibernating animals from your local
library, or Google “interesting facts about hibernating animals” for more information. And as always, www.Enchantedlearning.com has great printouts and information.

Now back to the song! Although you can just listen to it, I have recorded it with
   dramatization in mind. Divide the children into four different animals in the song and tell
 them to move around until the song says they are hibernating. Bears usually hibernate alone, but snakes snuggle together! You might hold up a picture of each animal as its verse is sung so children can see as well as hear when it’s their turn to go to sleep. I have left some instrumental time for them to wake up and go looking for food, then go to sleep again one by one in the last verse.

Hibernating Animals

The bears are hibernating, oh yes the bears are hibernating
They’re snuggled down in their dens like all of their friends
Just waiting for the spring to come.
Oh, the bears are hibernating again

The snakes are hibernating, oh yes the snakes are hibernating
They’re snuggled down in their dens with all of their friends
Just waiting for the spring to come.
Oh the snakes are hibernating again

The bats are hibernating, oh yes the bats are hibernating
They’re sleeping upside down, hanging around
Just waiting for the spring to come.
Oh, the bats are hibernating again

The frogs are hibernating, oh yes the frogs are hibernating
They’re snuggled down in the ground where they don’t make a sound
Just waiting for the spring to come.
Oh, the frogs are hibernating again
 

But when the spring comes with the warming sun
The animals will start to move
They’re in a hungry mood, they go a looking for food
They’re getting back in the groove
 

But now the bears are hibernating and the snakes are hibernating
The bats are hanging around sleeping upside down
Just waiting for the spring to come
Oh, the frogs are hibernating again