Dens and Bear Fun

Polar bears do not hibernate like other bears. However females do go into dens to have cubs. The female bear prepares for being in the den for long periods of time by storing fat. Females stay in the dens for multiple months with low metabolic activity to have their babies. They are not in a hibernation state since they are awake and will move with little noise. They stay in the den until December/ January when they have their cubs.

(Replica Den Photos From Parks Canada Visitor Centre Churchill)

During non-ice months male polar bears are very different than the females. Male polar bears take no breaks to stay in dens and typically are active and messing around. They spread out in various locations when there is not ice in Hudson Bay. The male polar bears are very inpatient and just always looking for food, sleeping, and playing. Below are two males play fighting.

A few male polar bears have been found in very abnormal places. An example of a male going to a weird places is a male actually went to the female dens where they have their cubs. The male seemed to be waiting until their cubs were born so it could come out of the den to have an enjoyable snack. Doing this is a death wish for the male polar bear. A mother polar bear will protect her cubs no matter what even if she will have to fight to the death. Basically the males are walking into a chainsaw if they go after the mother’s cubs.