Let me start this first entry assuming you don't know Neil. Let me explain that he has a respect for nature that surpasses most. Allow me to assure you that all precautions pertaining to the welfare of the sow, cub and humans were met or exceeded. Be positive that she was left to finish her winter slumber and that no camera's were injured in the taking of these photos.
Bears are not true hibernators, they can and do wake up through the winter. Their bodies metabolism slows down to a crawl, but they are able to wake. Sows are mated in and around May, they have a marvelous mechanism that delays implantation until autumn. If her body is not able to care for babies in the den for any reason (lack of food, health, accidents etc) the eggs will fail to implant. I'm sure we can all think of a few humans who may have benefited from a 4-6 month "cooling off period"
So, let's say our bear has successfully become pregnant, she goes to den as the daylight hours become fewer and the temperatures start to fall. She sleeps through her pregnancy and delivers in January (ish) to 1-3 babies. These little ones are tiny! Less than a pound a piece (they will be 60-100 by the fall) She has stored enough calories and body fat to not only survive herself, but feed her babies from January until April-May when they leave the den.
When Neil got asked if he was interested in taking some pictures of this Sow with her 2 cubs, he was on his way! He tells me the entire photo shoot lasted about 15 minutes. From cubs being out to Momma scooping them back under her with her paw and snout. Enjoy!
Bears are not true hibernators, they can and do wake up through the winter. Their bodies metabolism slows down to a crawl, but they are able to wake. Sows are mated in and around May, they have a marvelous mechanism that delays implantation until autumn. If her body is not able to care for babies in the den for any reason (lack of food, health, accidents etc) the eggs will fail to implant. I'm sure we can all think of a few humans who may have benefited from a 4-6 month "cooling off period"
So, let's say our bear has successfully become pregnant, she goes to den as the daylight hours become fewer and the temperatures start to fall. She sleeps through her pregnancy and delivers in January (ish) to 1-3 babies. These little ones are tiny! Less than a pound a piece (they will be 60-100 by the fall) She has stored enough calories and body fat to not only survive herself, but feed her babies from January until April-May when they leave the den.
When Neil got asked if he was interested in taking some pictures of this Sow with her 2 cubs, he was on his way! He tells me the entire photo shoot lasted about 15 minutes. From cubs being out to Momma scooping them back under her with her paw and snout. Enjoy!
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