What is an example of a behavioral adaptation for thermoregulation in mammals?

Hibernating during winter serves as a significant behavioral adaptation for thermoregulation in mammals. This process involves entering a state of reduced metabolic activity, which lowers the body temperature and conserves energy during periods when food is scarce and environmental temperatures are low. By hibernating, mammals can effectively regulate their body temperature and maintain energy reserves until warmer conditions return, thus avoiding the energetic costs associated with staying active in a cold environment.

Other behaviors, like building nests in trees, can provide shelter and some degree of insulation, but they are not direct thermoregulatory strategies. Swimming in cold water, while it can be a necessary behavior for some species, does not primarily serve the purpose of thermoregulation and can even exacerbate heat loss. Changing fur color with the seasons can aid in camouflage and may have some relevance for thermoregulation, but it is the behavioral strategy of hibernation that is most directly related to managing body temperature in response to seasonal changes.