The Call of the Den

Her head turned upward, still gazing forward toward the crest of the mountain before her.

 

 

The most perfect of snowflakes settled on the tip of her moist, sensitive nose. Lasting but a moment, the ice crystal quickly liquified and was immediately inhaled. It carried with it a subtle reminder that caused her to pause, she turned to look downward toward the darkening hollow but the stark bitter wind that was now rushing up the steep unforgiving slope reminded her it was not worth her effort to turn back to scavenge what was remaining of the deer carcass that lay frozen in the valley below. Mostly bone and hide, she had feasted on its meager offerings the night before, licking clean the last remaining remnants of muscle and sinew. It was literally the icing on the cake, her last savory and somewhat nourishing meal before her body's clock wound down. Soon she would lay within the tight but comfortable confines of the mighty chestnut oak. 

While rooting for acorn weeks before, she had found the den site nestled high on the rocky ledge. The tree stood steadfast for centuries less than a hundred feet below the summit. The bastketball-sized opening revealed to her a hollow only slightly bigger than her curled up frame. That was all she needed. Pleased with its accommodations she decided it was there she would spend the winter. So she continued her search for food. The den would wait.

She did well in preparing her body. Her rich, jet-black coat was in pristine condition bundling in a thick, luxurious layer of fat she had accumulated over the last three months. Gorging herself on the mountain's rich bounty of mast, she nearly doubled in size securing the fate of her pending cubs. Once again, she proved she would make a strong and fit mother. Time would soon reveal how many cubs she would bear, no matter the number, she was ready.

And the den called.

-------------------------------------------

The above scene repeats itself countless times throughout most of North America as black bears prepare for a long winter's nap. What many folks don't realize, however, is that black bears don't really hibernate, at least not in the sense of a true hibernator. Unlike woodchucks and other true hibernators that go into a coma-like state, bears pretty much just go into a deep sleep. In fact, they are so good at sleeping some people call them "nature's super sleepers."

If you want to learn more about the amazing world of black bear hibernation, join black bear specialist Daryl Ratajczak on an intriguing and fun adventure into a bears den. "Nature's Super Sleepers" is an interactive Webinar you can enjoy from the comforts of your own home. Join in on Tuesday, September 26th at 8:00 pm and learn what goes on physically to a bear's body that to this day, still stumps the medical world. For more information or to register for the class ($15) send an email inquiry to wildlifeforyoutraining@gmail.com.


Photos by Bob Howdeshell at: http://www.bobhowdeshell.com/