North American Black Bears: What Can Bears Teach Us About Sleeping Off a Whole Season?

A magnificent inhabitant of our valley floor, the black bear is the most celebrated hibernator of the animal world and can survive 100 days without drinking or eating. Their fascinating metabolism allows them to pile up to 30 pounds a week before they hibernate. In this diary entry of Voices of the Valley Floor-a and Fauna we discuss the natural history of Ursus americanus from their 8 beat per minute heart rate and ability to break down fat, muscles and organ tissue for water and calories in the winter. 

Photo: North American Black Bear (Ursus americanus), Norwood, CO.  Photo Credit: Randy Stephens