Which limit may threaten hibernating arctic ground squirrels if ambient temperature frequently reaches slight above freezing during winter?

💡 Explanation

When temperature rises slightly above freezing, metabolic rate increases for thermoregulation via non-shivering thermogenesis which depends on brown adipose tissue metabolism and vasodilation. Therefore, premature arousal occurs depleting the squirrel’s fat reserves required for the remainer of hibernation, rather than dehydration, temperature dysfunction, or freezing which require warmer ambient temperatures or extreme cold exposure.

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