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USA TODAY
Do polar bears hibernate? The arctic mammal's sleep behavior, explained.
By Olivia Munson, USA TODAY,
2024-04-09
You might remember in science class learning about hibernation – a time when certain animals "sleep" for long periods during the winter. In reality, hibernation is much more complex than that.
Hibernation is a period of dormancy that some animals undergo to conserve energy in order to survive adverse weather or lack of food, according to the Australian Academy of Science. From chipmunks to woodchucks , hundreds of animals hibernate.
Are polar bears on that list? They don't take a long winter's nap the way you may think.
Do polar bears hibernate?
Polar bears are not " true hibernators ," Polar Bears International (a conservation nonprofit) reports.
Some bears do undergo a period of dormancy during winter, but they are not asleep the entire time. During their "hibernation," bears do not eat or drink as often, and they will rarely (if at all) defecate or urinate, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game .
Since polar bears do not enter " deep hibernation ," their body temperatures won't fall significantly and certain body functions will continue, SeaWorld reports.
A more correct term is " carnivore lethargy ." Still, not all will do this every winter.
Female polar bears , especially pregnant ones, will undergo carnivore lethargy, according to SeaWorld. Male polar bears or those with cubs will often continue activity even during times of low food availability, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game reports.
Food is often hard to come by in the Arctic, so polar bears might go several months without eating. Fat reserves help polar bears maintain their health. For example, a seal weighing 121 pounds can provide eight days' worth of energy for a polar bear, according to the WWF .
Polar bears aren't picky eaters. Thanks to their keen sense of smell , they can find and eat carcasses of larger animals, such as whales, walruses and narwhals.
Polar bears will also snack on fish, eggs, kelp, berries, reindeer, rodents and shellfish.
On average, a male polar bear will weigh between 600 and 1200 pounds , according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. However, some can reach up to 1700 pounds.
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