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While the dotterel males incubate the brood, they often leave the eggs unattended for periods of between two and ten hours, in temperatures as low as 0°C, whilst they seek food. In 2000, Scottish researchers discovered that, contrary to previous belief, the eggs still hatch if their temperature has dropped to such levels during incubation, although they take longer to do so. Researchers have concluded that the embryos enter a form of suspended animation when exposed to harsh conditions.