While some animals miss winter because they go away, others sleep through it in a protected place. When an animal hibernates, its heart rate slows and its body temperature drops for a long period of time.
Some animals that hibernate may wake to eat several times during winter. However, most survive on fat they have built up in their bodies before winter. A hibernating animal such as a bear can only sleep as long as this stored fat lasts. If it wakes early and cannot find food nearby, it may starve and die.