Once upon a time there were many brown bears in nature. Families and groups stood out among them. Now left only separation based on geographical location. Many people have an idea why the bear hibernates. But it makes sense to figure out whether all the "clubfoot" prone to this? Perhaps in the southern regions there are animals awake all year round?
Distinctive features
Brown bear is a large animal. Individuals living in the European part of the continent reach 1.4 - 2 m and weigh up to 400 kg. Bears of Kamchatka and Alaska can weigh up to 1000 kg. Such a giant, standing on its hind legs, has a height of up to 3 m.
The body of a brown bear is powerful. The head is massive, with small eyes and ears, a high withers, thick fur, a wide set and a short tail - a typical appearance of a brown bear. Claws (up to 10 cm long) on powerful five-fingered paws do not hide.
Bears are stop-moving animals. If necessary, a speed of up to 40-50 km / h is developed for a short time. Water barriers overcome with ease. Hiding in a tree from an angry bear will not work.
In their diet, plant food predominates (by ¾). First of all, these are berries, acorns, nuts, roots and tubers of plants, as well as their juicy stems. It is this feature that is decisive in understanding why a bear hibernates in harsh times. As for coloring, the main color is brown. The shade of the coat can vary significantly even in individuals living in the same area (from black, fawn gray and gray to reddish brown).
Lifestyle
Bears define their territory and fix the borders with labels. It is believed that they live settled, although they can make migrations associated with the search for more suitable feeding places. In early spring, they look for glades where snow melts and the earth thaws faster. During the period of activity of the gnats, they can leave the forest thicket to open places. During spawning trips to the rivers to hunt for fish in shallow water.
But they cannot move to the southern regions during the winter - this is another good reason to understand why bears hibernate in the winter. They lead a sedentary lifestyle and are forced to return to their traditional habitats. With the advent of autumn, food is becoming increasingly difficult to find - you have to look for a way to wait out the cold.
Why bears hibernate in winter
The ability to fall asleep in the cold is also characteristic of other animals. By the way, not only the winter period causes hibernation. In desert areas, small rodents can enter into a sleepy state in the summer, during a drought. Under adverse conditions, unplanned hibernation may last until spring.
A brown bear cannot afford such a long rest. The period of his hibernation can range from 2.5 to 6 months. But sometimes it lasts longer if circumstances so require. It is difficult to answer the question why a brown bear hibernates, and does not procure supplies of roots, nuts and acorns for the winter. Apparently, he prefers to store them in the form of subcutaneous fat - so safer, and warmer.
It should be clearly understood why the bear hibernates. This is caused by extreme necessity. This is the only way animals can survive in winter. At the same time, it is worth noting that individuals living in the southern regions with sufficient food supply can do without seasonal sleep all year round.
It is also worth dispelling the myth of the alleged ability of bears to suck their paws and thus eat in the winter. This habit, experts say, is associated with the peculiarity of molting the soles of bears. Rough skin peels off during their stay in the den. This is due to lack of movement and load. Young and tender skin on the soles freezes. Therefore, bears warm it with their breath and lick it with a warm tongue.
Cranks: why a bear hibernates in winter
What happens if you wake the beast in the den? The hibernation of bears is superficial. A disturbed beast will wake up and is able to quickly respond to danger or a sharp change in conditions. As a rule, an awakened bear will look for a new den if the old bed is unsuitable for sleep.
In this case, why does the brown bear hibernate again in winter rather than wait for spring? This is the easiest way to survive. But there are situations when, for various reasons, animals do not feed enough fat over the summer. They cannot lie in the den in this state until spring. Hunger forces you to leave the den and go in search of food. He could not find roots, nuts, acorns and other edibles under the snow. The only way to survive is to engage in predation.
Under such circumstances, the bear decides to attack weakened animals and even predators. He is ready to take prey from wolves and foxes, there is carrion. He can go into the surrounding settlements, destroy apiaries, attack livestock and people. The meeting of a man with a starving connecting rod bear can end sadly - this must be remembered and understood.