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Posted by on Nov 5, 2015 in TellMeWhy |

Why Do Some Bears Sleep All Winter?

Why Do Some Bears Sleep All Winter?

Why Do Some Bears Sleep All Winter? Many bears sleep through the coldest days of winter because they cannot find enough food. As the weather gets colder, a bear needs extra food for warmth. But food is hard to find when snow covers the ground.

The bear solves this problem by eating all the food it can find, and growing fat, before winter. When cold weather comes, the bear settles down in a secret den for its long winter nap. The den might be a big hollow log or a cozy cave. The extra fat beneath the bear’s thick coat keeps the bear alive until spring — when it can find food again.

Bears that live in colder northern regions sleep in their dens right through the winter. In some cases as long as seven months. It is important to note that not all species of bear will hibernate. Bears like the Asiatic Bear live in warmer climates where food is readily available all year long and there is no need to hibernate.

Content for this question contributed by Sandy Whissen, resident of Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California, USA