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Brown bears go through several important steps to prepare for hibernation, ensuring they can survive the long winter months when food is scarce. Here’s how they do it:

  1. Hyperphagia (Increased Eating)

    • Feeding Frenzy: In the late summer and early fall, brown bears enter a state called hyperphagia, where they eat almost continuously to build up fat reserves. They consume large quantities of food, including fish, berries, nuts, and small mammals.

    • Caloric Intake: During this period, a bear can consume up to 20,000 calories per day, gaining significant weight that will be essential for surviving the winter without food.

2. Fat Storage

  • Building Fat Reserves: The fat accumulated during hyperphagia is stored in the bear’s body and provides the necessary energy during hibernation. This fat also helps to insulate the bear against the cold.

  • Weight Gain: A brown bear can gain hundreds of pounds in preparation for hibernation, which it will gradually lose throughout the winter.

3. Den Selection and Preparation

  • Finding a Den: As winter approaches, brown bears seek out or dig dens in sheltered locations like caves, hollowed-out trees, or beneath dense vegetation. They often choose sites that are safe, hidden, and protected from the elements.

  • Den Construction: Bears may spend time digging or modifying their dens to make them more comfortable and secure. The den is typically small, helping to conserve heat during the cold months.

4. Metabolic Changes

  • Slowing Down Metabolism: As hibernation begins, a brown bear's metabolism slows significantly, reducing its body temperature, heart rate, and breathing rate. This metabolic slowdown helps to conserve energy.

  • Water Conservation: Bears do not eat, drink, urinate, or defecate during hibernation. Their bodies are able to recycle waste products, which helps to prevent dehydration and maintain their bodily functions without the need for external water or food.

5. Behavioral Changes

  • Reduced Activity: In the weeks leading up to hibernation, bears gradually reduce their activity levels. This conserves energy and helps them transition into a state of dormancy.

  • Hormonal Changes: Hormonal shifts occur that prepare the bear’s body for the hibernation state, including changes in insulin sensitivity and fat metabolism.

6. Hibernation

  • Entering Hibernation: Once all preparations are complete, the bear enters its den and begins hibernating, a process that can last for several months, depending on the climate and food availability in their region.

By following these steps, brown bears ensure that they have the energy and resources needed to survive through the winter until spring arrives and they can resume normal activities.

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The Odd Ducks

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11mo ago

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