During torpor, heart rate and breathing rate decreases, body temperature reduces slightly and bears do not eat or release bodily waste. Bears can sleep more than days without eating, drinking, or passing waste!
Instead, bears are able to literally turn their pee into protein through a urea recycling process. The urea produced by their fat metabolism is broken down and the nitrogen is re-used by the bear to rebuild protein.
The main difference between hibernation and torpor is that during torpor, the animal is able to wake up easily if hurt or threatened by predators. Pregnant female bears can also wake up from torpor to give birth, then go back to sleep afterwards! Bears sleep in dens that they make themselves, as well as in hollow trees, caves and dens built by other bears. A den can be built in 3—7 days, however, the timing of den building varies from bear to bear. While some bears build their dens months before hibernation season, others choose to excavate their dens at the last minute.
Before winter, bears are heavy but after the winter they are thin and lean because the body uses up the stored fats to maintain their body processes and to keep them warm. Bears do not release body waste such as urine and faeces during torpor because in doing so, they would use up a lot of energy.
However, their heartbeat rate is slower. The above adaptations ensure that bears remain fit while not loosing a lot of body heat. In contrast, true hibernators undergo extreme body changes. Body temperatures are lowered to match that one of the environment while breathing and heartbeat rates are slow.
Therefore, due to the above reasons, it is evident that not all bears hibernate during the winter. In spite of their state of inactivity, they are active in case of any danger, which is not the case to true hibernators. During winter bears retreat to their dens and remain in a state of torpor. Since they do not undergo a winter weight loss like wild bears, some zoo bears can get very overweight, which is very unhealthy.
Fortunately more zoos are allowing their bears hibernate during winter. Though it makes the animals unavailable for viewing, it helps the bears stay leaner and healthier. Bears do not need snow to make a den. In fact, some bears may not dig a den at all. In one famous Pennsylvania bear study the researcher found bears denning in road culverts, underneath home porches or simply curled up on a nest of leaves.
But if the weather is unpleasant bears will make a shelter by digging, crawling into the root structure of overturned trees, or using rock caves. In Alaska and elsewhere that might have large cottonwood trees that have hollow centers, black bears love to crawl up the outside of the tree, then back down into the hollow center.
If the bear is denning in dirt or a cave, snow is not required but it does help form an insulating layer. Subscribe to be notified about new issues Receive a monthly notice about new issues and articles. Not exactly. As mentioned, most hibernating animals lower their body temperatures much further than bears. Many animals also hibernate at different times of the year. Some animals hibernate in the summer. Waking these critters can be very bad for them. They need to save their energy.
After all, who likes to be rudely awakened? Most kids dread the sound of the alarm clock each morning. Animals need their rest, just like you do! If you come across a hibernating creature—big or small—keep your distance. A, NGSS. C, NGSS. A, CCRA. We are undergoing some spring clearing site maintenance and need to temporarily disable the commenting feature. Thanks for your patience. Drag a word to its definition.
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