Ruler of the Rockies

Description

Grizzly bears and winter. It is mind boggling to think that these huge animals are now hibernating in their hide-outs until approximately April/May of next year. But are bears really asleep all winter? The truth is that when hibernating, bears do not eat or drink. Since there is little or no food available in winter, they will only leave the den when the den itself is threatened by being damaged in some way. Bears have developed adaptive strategies to survive during the winter months. First, they lower their body temperature. Fat stores are slowly being broken down for energy - hence the frantic eating that takes place during the summer months. Bears move around inside the dens when changing posture, much like one’s dog sleeping. Cubs are born about two months into hibernation, but can only walk and feed on their own at about six months of age. This image was made earlier this year, during one of the best grizzly bear sightings that I have ever enjoyed. The bear was so occupied with eating dandelions and other wild flowers, that it hardly even noticed us settling in with our camera gear. Not often that one gets to enjoy an undisturbed afternoon of a wonderful grizzly sighting such as on this day.

Taken By

Rina Ansell

Taken On

November 18, 2023

Tagged

grizzlybear grizzly bear canadianwildlife mammal canada albertawildlife apexpredator animal wildlife brown_bear plant eye grizzly_bear carnivore kodiak_bear natural_landscape terrestrial_animal fawn terrestrial_plant