Bears do not go into complete hibernation the way rodents do. Rick Stronks, the chief naturalist at Algonquin Provincial Park, shares some interesting facts about these seasonal deep sleepers: 1. Black bears are masters of adaptation Hibernation is their way of surviving a long winter when there’s little food available. Black bears don't entirely sleep or rest for the entire day, and amazingly female bears give birth over the winter while hibernating. Their body temperature drops by only 7 or 8 degrees centigrade (instead of freezing like a ground squirrel). In northern areas of the U.S. and Canada, bears hibernate as long as 8 months without moving from their den. As noted, hibernation occurs when food becomes scarce, so it would be different each year. Their heart rate slows from 50 beats per minute to about 10 beats per minute. They live off of a layer of fat which was built-up during summer and autumn. Bears typically give birth in late January to early February and a litter size is between one and six … While most of us feel like waiting out the chilly winter under a big, fluffy duvet, bears’ hibernation takes cold-weather sleep to a whole new level. 10 unexpected facts about bear hibernation. Knowing the difference between a grizzly bear and a black bear … They can hibernate for up to six months in some areas. While black bears in the southern United States hibernate for 4 to 5 months, those in southern Canada and northern United States hibernate for up to 8 months. If conditions one year were favorable to a longer growing season, and a mild autumn, they would probably enter hibernation later. Bears have the ability to remain stationary for longer periods than rodents without feeding or eliminating waste. Bank of Canada to signal long hibernation (as bears will do) Michael Babad. As winter weather rolls in, black bears are bedding down for hibernation. Hibernation is a voluntary state an animal enters to conserve energy, when food is scarce, and minimize exposure to the winter elements. However, not many animals truly hibernate, and bears are among those that do not. And it can be hard on the bear. Grizzly bears and black bears generally do not eat, drink, defecate, or urinate during hibernation. Comparing Black Bears and Grizzly Bears. 2. Herein lies the main difference in bear and rodent hibernation. So, if they hibernate for 6 months in MN, they probably hibernate for longer than that in parts of Canada. Kim Titchener, the founder of Bear Safety and More, says startling bears out of hibernation is rare, but it has happened from time to time in Alberta. Some other economists also believe the Bank of Canada will hibernate … Parks Canada wildlife specialists collect data on where bears spend their time in the national parks. Bears enter a lighter state of sleep called torpor. 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