Theory 49/Hibernation/Rate lens
Arousals Track Metabolic Debt
The claim
The frequency of hibernation arousals is set by the rate at which metabolic debt accumulates, not by body temperature.
01Mechanism
Arousal is required to clear waste and restore immune function; the rate of accumulation determines how often the animal must rewarm.
02Prediction
Arousal frequency should track debt rate.
03Refutation
Frequency tracking temperature would remove the debt.