How can bears hibernate without food?
In wintry climates only a few of the wild animals are around at Christmas time. Most of the birds have migrated southward. Reptiles, amphibians, certain bats and mammals are hibernating. The sleepy bears are almost, but not quite, hibernating. True, hibernation is somewhat like a coma and much deeper than ordinary sleep. A hibernating woodchuck will not stir if you lift or move him. He remains asleep even while you take his temperature and check his pulse. This medical check up reveals that his pulse and heartbeat are very slow and that his temperature is way below normal. The sleeping woodchuck is an example of true hibernation. The bears although he sleeps soundly through the winter months.is not a true hibernater. His temperature and heartbeat are only slightly below normal and disturbances arouse him. If the cold, wet snow drifts into his den, he wakes up and sets forth to seek a more dependable shelter. If you went into his winter hide away and poked him, chances are he would wake
