Is My Caterpillar Dead Or Hibernating . If the hamster is merely hibernating it should wake within that period. Put a hamster that you suspect is hibernating in a warm room. Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly Identification, Facts, & Pictures from www.butterflyidentification.com Throughout hibernation your pet’s physique temperature will drop to match the setting, so coldness isn’t all the time a trigger for concern. It’s because rigor mortis could have set in. There are two ways which are both almost always accurate, but using.