Grizzly Bear Hibernation

Grizzly Bears in Hibernation

Grizzly bears undergo a period of hibernation, which is a state of reduced metabolic activity and dormancy during the winter months. Hibernation is a survival strategy that allows bears to conserve energy when food sources are scarce and environmental conditions are harsh.

Key Aspects of Grizzly Bear Hibernation



Bear Hibernation Timing

Grizzly bears typically enter hibernation in the fall, usually between late September and early November, depending on factors such as geographic location, climate, and food availability.

The timing may vary among individual bears and populations.

Bear Hibernation Preparation

Before hibernation, grizzly bears enter a phase known as hyperphagia, during which they consume large quantities of food to build up fat reserves. This is crucial for sustaining them throughout the winter months when they do not eat or drink.

Denning During Hibernation

Grizzly bears hibernate in dens, which can be natural features like caves, rock crevices, or dug-out depressions in the ground.

Pregnant females often seek out more secure and insulated dens to give birth to their cubs during hibernation.

Grizzly Bear's Metabolic Changes During Hibernation

During hibernation, the bear's metabolic rate drops significantly, and its body temperature decreases. This state of dormancy allows the bear to conserve energy. Bears do not eat, drink, urinate, or defecate during hibernation.

Hibernation Fat Utilization

Grizzly bears rely on the fat reserves built up during hyperphagia as their primary energy source during hibernation.

The breakdown of stored fat produces water, which helps meet the bear's hydration needs during this period.

Grizzly Bear Cub Birth During Hibernation

Pregnant female grizzly bears give birth to their cubs during hibernation. The mother and cubs remain in the den until spring, when the weather becomes milder and food sources become more abundant.

Hibernation Duration

Hibernation typically lasts for several months, with bears emerging from their dens in the spring, usually between March and May, depending on environmental conditions.

Role in Survival

Hibernation is crucial for the survival of grizzly bears, as it helps them endure the scarcity of food and harsh winter conditions. Hibernation also allows pregnant females to give birth in a protected environment, increasing the chances of cub survival.

Not all bears hibernate, and some individuals in more temperate climates may not enter a true state of dormancy. The hibernation behavior of grizzly bears is a remarkable adaptation to the challenges of their environment and plays a crucial role in their life cycle.

Subscribe to Watch Free Grizzly Bear Videos Wildlife on Video




Grizzly Bears in Canada

Wild Grizzly Bears Captured in Nature on Video..

View more Grizzly Bear(Ursus Arctos) videos with Wildlife On Video.

Popular Grizzly Bear Videos »
Grizzly Bear Newborns »
Grizzly Bear Families »
Big Grizzly Bears »
Grizzly Bear Cubs »
Grizzly Bears in Hyperphagia »
Grizzly Bears in Nature Videos »
Wild Grizzly Bears in Nature »
All Grizzly Bear Videos

Wild Grizzly Bears


Grizzly Bear - Brown Bear Species

Genetic science reveals the grizzly to be a subspecies of the brown bear (Ursus arctos). In North America, "brown bear" is also known as "grizzly bear", being all the same species, Ursus arctos.

Coastal grizzly bears are larger and darker than inland grizzlies. They were considered a different species from grizzlies at one time. Kodiak grizzly bears also were considered a distinct species. At that time there were five different species of brown bear, including these three in North America.



Grizzly Bear Size

Female grizzlies usually weigh 130–180 kg (290–400 lb), while adult male grizzly bears weigh on average 180–360 kg (400–790 lb). Female Grizzly Bear average weights would be 136 kg (300 lb) inland and 227 kg (500 lb) coastal. One study found that the average weight for an inland male grizzly bear was around 272 kilograms (600 pounds), and the average weight for a coastal male was around 408 kg (899 lb). Newborn grizzly bear cubs uausally weigh less than 500 grams (1.1 lb).



Grizzly Bear Fur Color

Although grizzlies color can be blond to nearly black, grizzly bear fur is usually brown with darker legs and commonly white or blond tipped fur on the flank and back.



Grizzly Bear Physical Characteristics

A large muscular hump exists on adult grizzly bear shoulders. Aside from the distinguishing hump, grizzly bears also have "dished in" face profiles with short, rounded ears.

Grizzly bear's rear end is lower than its shoulders, where as a black bear's rump is higher than its shoulders.

Grizzly bear's front claws are usually 2–4 inches in length, where as a black bear's claws measure about 1–2 inches in length.



Grizzly Bear Hibernation

Grizzly bears hibernate from 5 to 7 months each year unless they live in warm climates where they may not hibernate at all. During hibernation, female grizzly bears give birth and their offspring will consume milk from their mother for the remainder of the hibernation period.

Grizzly bears must consume an immense amount of food to prepare for hibernation. Bears can gain hundreds of pounds during the period just before hibernation called hyperphagia. In this period, grizzlies may consume up to 10 times the amount of calories compared to Spring and Summer.

Bears do not eat during hibernation. Grizzly bears do not defecate or urinate throughout the entire hibernation period. Male grizzly bears usually come out of hibernation in early to mid-March, while females emerge in April or early May.

Bears often wait for a snowstorm as a trigger to enter their den. This behavior reduces the chances that predators will find the den. Grizzly Bear dens are typically at elevations above 1,800 m (5,900 ft) on north-facing slopes.

Inland or Rocky Mountain grizzlies spend nearly half of their life in dens while coastal grizzly bears spend less time in dens. If food is very plentiful year round, grizzly bears may not hibernate at all.



Grizzly Bear Reproduction

Grizzly bears have one of the lowest reproductive rates of all land mammals in North America. Grizzly bears do not reach sexual maturity until they are at least five years old. After mating, females delay embryo implantation until hibernation, during which miscarriage can occur if the female is not in good enough condition. Female grizzly bears usually produce two cubs in a litter, with the mother caring for the cubs for up to two years before mating again.

Grizzlies are normally solitary animals, but in coastal areas, grizzlies gather around streams, lakes, rivers, and ponds during the salmon spawn. Females (sows) produce one to four cubs that are small and weigh only about 450 grams (1 lb) at birth. Unfortunately, most grizzly bear cubs do not make it through their first year due to many factors.



Grizzly Bear Lifespan

The average lifespan for a grizzly boar is estimated at 22 years, with sows living slightly longer at 26.

Females live longer than males due to their less dangerous life, as they do not fight during mating season like boars do. The oldest known wild inland grizzly was about 34 years old(Alaska), with the oldest known coastal bear being 39. Captive grizzlies have been known to live as long as 44 years.

Popular Grizzly Bear Videos