Torpor

Torpor is a state of decreased physiological activity in an animal, usually marked by a reduced body temperature and metabolic rate.

[citation needed] Some animals seasonally go into long periods of inactivity, with reduced body temperature and metabolism, made up of multiple bouts of torpor.

Daily torpor, on the other hand, is not seasonally dependent and can be an important part of energy conservation at any time of year.

[10] This adaptation of increasing body temperature to forage has been observed in small nocturnal mammals when they first wake up in the evening.

This reduction in body temperature and metabolic rate allows the prolonged survival of animals capable of entering torpid states.

[15][16][17] Slowing metabolic rate to conserve energy in times of insufficient resources is the primarily noted purpose of torpor.

The function of circadian rhythms in black, brown, and polar bears suggest that their system of torpor is evolutionarily advanced.

In regions where bats don't undergo torpor, the parasites maintain a consistent reproductive rate throughout the year.

In 2013, SpaceWorks Engineering began researching a way to dramatically cut the cost of a human expedition to Mars by putting the crew in extended torpor for 90 to 180 days.

Traveling while hibernating would reduce astronauts' metabolic functions and minimize requirements for life support during multi-year missions.