Photo: Antarctic Fish "Hibernate" in Winter



Antarctic cod, like the one seen above, are the first fish known to actively go into "hibernation" as part of an annual cycle, a new study shows.

As winter approaches the fish hunker down on the seafloor, reduce their feeding, and slow their heart rates—probably as a way to survive the long, dark Antarctic winters, researchers say.

Photograph courtesy Hamish Campbell


EMAIL NEWSLETTER Photos and News of the Week

Get the top photos and news of the week from National Geographic News, plus occasional breaking-news alerts.

Please enter a valid email address
Privacy Policy
NEWS FEEDS    After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed. After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed.

Get our news delivered directly to your desktop—free.
How to Use XML or RSS

ADVERTISEMENT

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S PHOTO OF THE DAY

Photo and Headline Widget

Put our latest news and photos on your Web page or desktop—automatically updates! See Sample