1. Plural of hibernaculum; sheltered places or structures where animals spend the winter in a dormant state.
Usage: biology/zoology term; plural form
2. In botany, buds or plant structures that survive winter and allow the plant to regrow in spring.
Usage: botany term; plural form

Examples

• Many bats seek out hibernacula in caves and mines during the cold months.
• The hibernacula of certain reptile species are carefully protected by wildlife conservationists.
• Aquatic plants develop hibernacula that allow them to survive frozen winters.
• Scientists study hibernacula to understand how animals adapt to seasonal changes.
• The limestone caves serve as important hibernacula for several endangered bat species.