The bear, on the other hand, reduces its circulation, breathing and heartbeat only to a level at which it is able to defend its den at any time. Its body temperature drops to only three degrees Celcius.
During hibernation, the marmot reduces its metabolic rate to a tenth of its normal level: it breathes only once or twice per minute and its heart beats a maximum five times. For the latter, rest is an important precondition.īears go into torpor, which should not be confused with the deep hibernation of smaller mammals such as hedgehogs and marmots. This layer of fat enables their survival in winter, under the condition of reduced energy consumption. Bears use the rich autumn time when fruits containing plenty of fat and sugar such as nuts, beechnuts, seeds, berries, etc. can be harvested in order to gorge themselves fat. But contrary to us humans, the bear is relatively insensitive to minus degrees, snow and frost.
It is often falsely assumed that bears are driven into their dens by the cold. But it is always about saving energy during a time of scarce food.
BROWN BEAR HOW TO
Incidentally, the scientific community is divided about how to describe the bears' resting condition: as winter sleep, winter rest, torpor, hibernation – all these terms are in circulation. Although the frequency of their heartbeat and breathing slows down, the bears are easily woken and are able to defend themselves in the case of attack.īefore their winter rest, bears must eat enough to form a decent layer of fat since they lose around a third of their body weight during this sleeping phase. This cosy hole is ideal for dozing, because brown bears are not 'true' hibernators like, for example, hedgehogs. Before the winter sets in, the bears cushion their dens nicely with grass, leaves, ferns, moss and lichen. Natural caves or rock fissures sometimes also serve as retreats. They usually dig a den which they may use for several consecutive years. Brown bears enter a winter resting period between October and December.
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