Why are compound nuclei from cold fusion more likely to survive than nuclei from hot fusion?

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A color-coded periodic table of the elements displays each element's symbol and atomic number, with categories such as alkali metals, noble gases, halogens, transition metals, and actinoid elements distinguished by different background colors. — transuranium element Modern version of the periodic table of the elements (printable).

In the context of synthesizing transuranium elements, the likelihood of a compound nucleus surviving depends on its excitation energy.

Compound nuclei formed in "cold" fusion reactions have lower excitation energies than those produced in "hot" fusion reactions. Because of this lower energy state, these nuclei typically emit only one or two neutrons, which significantly increases their probability of remaining intact rather than undergoing prompt fission, a competing reaction that destroys the nucleus. In contrast, nuclei formed through hot fusion possess higher excitation energies and must emit three to five neutrons to stabilize, which makes them much more likely to undergo fission and fail to survive.1