GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK — Posting to social media on Tuesday, Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) offered a friendly reminder that bears could still be out and about during the mild weather patterns this winter.
According to GTNP, bears are “super hibernators,” which means they can sleep for long periods of time without needing to wake up and eat or urinate. Most mammals that sleep during the winter will stir periodically during hibernation. However, bears maintain an almost normal body temperature throughout their slumber, which means they can be woken up easily and can respond quickly to changes or danger, according to Yellowstone Forever.
During a bear’s hibernation period, it will breathe only once every 45 seconds, compared to the usual 15 to 20 breaths per minute. A bear’s heart rate will slow from between 40 and 90 beats per minute down to about 10 beats per minute. And the core body temperature will only fall by about 12°F from the summer body temp of 100°F. A chipmunk or a ground squirrel will see a hibernating body temperature around 40°F. This warm body temperature allows a bear’s brain activity to continue throughout the winter.
“These adaptations allow bears to wake much more easily than other hibernators,” GTNP wrote on Facebook. “Though groggy, bears may exit their den if they are disturbed or when winter weather is moderate.”
Recreationists are reminded to be alert to surroundings and watch for bear sign even in the winter. Humans should always maintain at least 100 yards distance from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards from all other wild animals.
