Fish was first discovered hibernation

The Antarctic cod species actively shut down and took a long nap in the winter months, a new study has just revealed. This is the first time this activity has been recorded in fish, although not rare in land animals.

The cod fish dive to the bottom of the sea, limit eating and slow down the heart rate. This may be a way for them to survive the dark winter in Antarctica, a time of hardship.

" Many freshwater fish fall asleep dormant due to falling temperatures, slowing down their metabolism ", study co-author Hamish Campbell, a zoologist at the University of Queensland. , Australia, said.

" In contrast, Antarctic fish actively reduce 'life costs' , he said.

This Antarctic cod is the first known fish to actively go to hibernation, like many land animals.(Photo: Hamish Campbell)