Black bears disappear into Arkansas’s winter landscape.
Rock crevices, brush piles and excavated root wads are likely locales to house a bruin. Black bears are pro hibernators. They have periods of sleep and wakefulness but can go all winter without eating, drinking or using the loo.
Inactivity is a prime cause of osteoporosis in most animals, but not black bears. They recycle their calcium during winter and avoid bone loss. They also lose little muscle mass.
Mother bears give birth to their cubs in the winter den. Cubs make a motor-like hum as they feed on mom’s rich milk. Lactating mother bears live off fat reserves and may leave the den in the spring 40 percent lighter.
You can learn more about black bears on the Arkansas Wildlife YouTube Channel.
