Final answer:
Hibernation is risky for small animals like hummingbirds because they lose heat quickly and have less energy stored, making it difficult for them to survive a dormant state. Instead, migration or daily torpor might be more beneficial.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking why hibernation is not a good option for small animals, like the hummingbirds, to reduce their metabolic rate and conserve their need for food. While many people associate hibernation with animals like bears, bears actually enter a state of deep sleep rather than true hibernation. Their body and temperature do not decrease significantly, and they can be from their sleep quite easily. On the other hand, true hibernation involves a substantial decrease in metabolic rate and body temperature, which can be risky for small animals such as hummingbirds.