Find Out Why Stan Tekiela Is Fascinated by Black Bears
In today’s post, author, naturalist, and wildlife photographer Stan Tekiela shares with us about his fascination with black bears.
We could see it moving through the tall, dull-green grass of late summer, and it was heading in our direction. I told the group we’d better move back and get our cameras ready. It looked like it would be walking directly towards us, and it was a big one. Next, I told the group, “For this image to work, we will need to get down low and switch from horizontal to vertical format.”
Only a minute later, my prediction was correct: It was walking straight at us. Using a very long lens so we could keep a distance, the group was able to capture some very impressive images of a male American black bear (Ursus americanus). This particular bear was well over 500 pounds and was getting ready for hibernation.
The American black bear, usually just called the black bear, is called “American” because it’s endemic (found only) in North America. Of the three bear species found in North America, it is the smallest but most widespread.
Black bears evolved from another bear species around 4 to 5 million years ago. Since that time, based on fossil records, the black bear has become smaller. Historically, American black bears roamed most of North America, but today they’re restricted to the Northeast, going down the Appalachian Mountains, and to the northern states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. They are also found across Canada, down the Rocky Mountains, and along the West Coast well into California.
Adult male black bears average between 200 and 500 pounds. Adult females are smaller and are between 100 and 375 pounds. Black bears found in northern states and Canada are larger than ones found in southern states. This is a good example of the Bergmann’s rule, which is a biological rule that states that the larger the animal’s body, the easier it is to stay warm in the cold of winter, and the smaller the animal’s body, the easier it is to keep cool in the heat of summer.
I find black bears utterly fascinating. These critters are perfectly adapted to living in North America. Bears can do things that other animals can’t. For example, the black bear’s mating season is in June (spring), but at the end of summer, the females are still not pregnant. The bears’ reproductive system holds the egg and sperm in a suspended state of animation so they won’t become implanted in the female’s uterine wall until October. It is the female’s overall health in autumn that determines how many fertilized eggs will go on to become cubs born in February, after only about 4 months of gestation.
In the fall, black bears eat as much as they can to build enough fat to last them through the winter. Hibernation can only be described as amazing. Here in the northland, a bear can hibernate for upwards of 7 months. During this time, the bear’s metabolic activities are suppressed; in some cases, the digestive system comes to a complete stop. Other systems, such as thermal (body core temperature), only slow down. Respiration and heart rate are also suppressed and lowered. Combined, when all of these systems are slowed down or stopped, the bear saves enough energy to last until spring. Think of it as gasoline in your car; the more you conserve, the longer it will last.
I think many people envision a hibernating bear as being unconscious, mouth open, tongue hanging out, and snoring loudly. The reality is that black bears are often awake, looking around, and caring for what needs to be done. They move around regularly, and the pregnant females give birth during hibernation. After the cubs are born, she keeps the young warm and nurses them. Also, during hibernation, bears who have any injuries often heal up nicely and, by springtime, are often well healed. If you and I were to lie down for 7 months, our muscles would atrophy (decline) so badly that we would need to learn how to walk again. Bears rest for the same amount of time and don’t have any issues with muscle loss. As you can see, bears are amazing creatures who have the ability to do things other mammals cannot.
About the author: Naturalist, wildlife photographer, and writer Stan Tekiela has published more than 175 field guides, nature books, children’s books, wildlife audio CDs, puzzles, and playing cards, presenting many species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, trees, wildflowers, and cacti in the United States. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural History from the University of Minnesota and as an active professional naturalist for more than 35 years, Stan studies and photographs wildlife throughout the United States and Canada. He has received various national and regional awards for his books and photographs.
Also a well-known columnist and radio personality, Stan’s syndicated column appears in more than 25 newspapers, and his wildlife programs are broadcast on a number of Midwest radio stations. Stan can be followed on Facebook and Twitter. He can be contacted via www.naturesmart.com.
If you enjoyed Stan’s post, you might also like: Cranes, Herons & Egrets, Bird Migration: The Incredible Journeys of North American Birds, Wild Birds: North America’s Most Unique Birds, Bald Eagles: The Ultimate Raptors, Owls: The Majestic Hunters, Hummingbirds: Marvels of the Bird World, and, for little tykes, his series of Mamas & Babies board books.
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