They are similar, but Torpor is involuntary, hibernation is voluntary. Torpor is for short periods of time, hibernation is for long periods. Torpor drops the body temperature just a little, hibernation drops body temperature significantly. Torpor allows an animal to wake up and move around minimally (like to get food/eat) while hibernation does not.
Bears do not hibernate, they enter Torpor
Isn’t torpor just the scientific term for hibernation, or are they distinct?
They are similar, but Torpor is involuntary, hibernation is voluntary. Torpor is for short periods of time, hibernation is for long periods. Torpor drops the body temperature just a little, hibernation drops body temperature significantly. Torpor allows an animal to wake up and move around minimally (like to get food/eat) while hibernation does not.