

Changing weather patterns around the world can bring bears out of hibernation earlier. Why Do Bears Come Out of Hibernationīears naturally come out of their state of hibernation when the weather turns warmer. As Alaskan Brown Bears are found in a colder climate, they typically spend a long time in hibernation compared to other bear species. Due to a warm environment, hibernation is not necessary for these bears.Īlaskan Brown Bears can hibernate from five to eight months. Mexican Black Bears usually do not hibernate at all or will hibernate for just a few weeks out of the year. Grizzly bears typically hibernate between five to seven months. How Long Do Bears Hibernateĭifferent species of bears hibernate for slightly different lengths of time, based mostly on their climate.īlack bears can hibernate for up to seven and a half months without drinking water, eating food or defecating. Still, it is widely accepted by physiologists to label bears as hibernators. Instead, they use distinct terms for what bears do such as winter sleep, carnivoran lethargy, torpor, and dormancy. However, bears can wake up instantly from their deep sleep.ĭue to these differences, some people argue that bears do not truly hibernate. Most animals that hibernate, like squirrels, wake up gradually. A bear’s breathing and heart will slow, but their body temperatures remain quite high in comparison.Īnother key difference is waking up from hibernation. First, hibernation is defined as the animal’s body temperature drops to match the outside temperature. However, there is some debate about whether bears actually hibernate. When discussing hibernation, the first animal that comes to mind for most people is a bear. Stored body fat from earlier months gives the body all the energy it needs to last the hibernation period. Typically, animals hibernate to cope with months that are low in food supply. Hibernation is characterized by slow breathing, a slow heart rate, low body temperatures, and a low metabolic rate. They spend several weeks or months sleeping, and this state of inactivity helps them to conserve energy. Hibernation is when animals (or plants) spend the winter in a dormant state. Blog » How Long Do Bears Hibernate? What is Hibernation?
