Overwintering


Overwintering is the process by which some organisms pass through or wait out the winter season, or pass through that period of the year when "winter" conditions make normal activity or even survival difficult or near impossible. In some cases "winter" is characterized not necessarily by cold but by dry conditions; passing through such periods could likewise be called overwintering.
Hibernation and migration are the two major ways in which overwintering is accomplished.
Overwintering occurs in several classes of lifeform: