Did you know that bears don’t actually hibernate in the way most people think? Instead of hibernation, bears will undergo a process known as torpor, similar to hibernation. Torpor is a state in which an animal experiences reduced physiological activity, marked by a slower heart rate, decreased metabolism, slower respiration, or lowered body temperature (Merriam-Webster, n.d).
As scavengers, bears will often gorge themselves before winter due to food scarcity during the colder months. They have a varied diet, consuming a wide range of foods, including berries, nuts, fruits, grasses, plants, insects, and even scavenged carcasses. As omnivores, bears eat both plants and animals to meet their nutritional needs. In the wild, the availability of food, rather than the weather, is the true indicator of when a bear enters its torpor.
The bears at TCWR are provided with a well-balanced diet all year round that includes fruits and protein, primarily chicken. Each bear’s diet is further supplemented with vitamins and minerals tailored to their specific needs. Unlike in the wild, the bears at TCWR benefit from daily meals, whether through foraging in their habitat or receiving a carefully prepared meal.
As the cooler months approach, bears in the wild and in captivity (depending on their location) begin to reduce their movement, conserving energy and preventing the burning of excess calories. This natural slowdown also helps lower their body temperature, allowing them to conserve heat more efficiently. At the Refuge, as the bears start to slow down, their diets are significantly reduced compared to the two meals that are typically prepared for them daily in the summer and fall.
As the bears begin to slow down and their diets are adjusted for the winter months, their preparations go beyond food. At the Refuge, we help the bears prepare their dens for the colder weather by providing mulch for insulation and encouraging natural nesting behaviors. We offer leaves, twigs, and even Christmas trees to help them create comfortable, secure spaces to rest and conserve energy during the winter months, mimicking the behaviors of wild bears as they enter torpor.
Lastly, because bears don’t fully shut down and are not true hibernators, they can wake from their deep slumber to shift positions or even give birth to cubs. At the Refuge, you may spot the bears roaming their habitats or poking their heads outside their dens during the late afternoon dusk hours, still somewhat active despite the winter’s chill.
- Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Dormant. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved December 18, 2024, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dormant
- Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Hibernate. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved December 18, 2024, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hibernate
- Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Torpor. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved December 18, 2024, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torpor