Bears and the Big Sleep Trivia Quiz

Answer: Hibernation

Hibernation is a state of dormancy in animals. Most small mammals will move into a coma like sleep, their body temperature will fall until it is just a few degrees above freezing and their breathing will be almost undetectable.
The bear, however, is not a true hibernator. Whilst their heart-rates will fall considerably they will keep their body temperatures closer to normal, dropping only nine to ten degrees lower than their active temperature. Their system, however, is so well developed that they will not need to feed, drink or excrete during the course of their hibernation.

Answer: All of these reasons are valid.

What exactly triggers the bears' urge to hibernate is not known. There are arguments that the bear can survive the harsh conditions of winter and the polar bear is a good example of this. However, these conditions do contribute to the scarcity of food supplies and the lack of food means the bear must find a way to reduce its rate of calorie loss.
Interestingly, in noting the above, the male polar bear does not hibernate. Also, bears that live in warmer regions may not hibernate.

Answer: The bear may have some muscle atrophy.

Studies have indicated that a bear will endure periods of shivering while in hibernation and that these bouts are sufficient to maintain muscle tone and may assist them in avoiding the onset of bed-sores.
This remarkable system that the bear possesses will also allow it to recycle calcium with greater efficiency so that there is no loss of bone density during these long periods of inactivity.

Answer: Yes

Most hibernating animals will not enter a phase of hibernation in a state of pregnancy. Not the bear. Despite the fact that the female bear will move into a dormant state, her embryo/fetus will continue to grow rapidly.

Answer: Naked and blind.

The bear is highly vulnerable at birth. It is essentially naked and does not possess an insulating layer of fatty tissue. As a consequence its ability to regulate its own temperature is a major issue.
The mother bear will minimize this problem by (a) giving birth to the baby inside the den, (b) immediately cleaning and drying the new born bear and (c) keeping the baby bear huddled in close contact for a considerable period of time.

Answer: Decidedly lighter than human babies.

A bear cub will weigh less than one pound at birth. In other words, a bear cub is a mere fraction of one percent of its mother's weight. This is out of necessity to ensure that the mother bears' rate of calorie loss is not too severe.

Answer: The bear will not need to perform any of these functions.

During hibernation a bear will sustain itself by burning body fat. This will produce two residues: (a) carbon dioxide which is breathed out into the air and (b) water. The majority of the water is absorbed into the bloodstream, though a little may be lost through breathing.
A bear will burn in the vicinity of four thousand calories each day, producing approximately a pint and a half of water. This is adequate for its daily needs during hibernation.
Usually this balance is so finely 'in tune' that there is no need for the bear to drink, hence, no need to 'pee' at all during winter.
Likewise, they do not need to eat so there's no need to do 'number twos'.
Fat will provide twice the amount of energy to the bear as protein or carbohydrate.

Answer: Glycerine

Glycerine is combined with the bears own intestinal bacteria to convert the nitrogen into amino acids which the bear will use. This may also add to the mystery as to why they are able to maintain muscle mass during hibernation. Humans recycle nitrogen into amino acids in a similar fashion but, whereas the bears' system is one hundred percent efficient, a human is only twenty percent efficient.

Answer: Walking hibernation

The metabolism of the bear will reduce during this period. They become lethargic and slow and will lose their appetite.
Come springtime the bear will go through a similar process as they commence to 'come out' of hibernation.

Answer: All of these

The biggest problem for astronauts enduring long periods of weightlessness is the loss of muscle strength and bone mass. If we are able to utilize the secrets of bears in hibernation, then long distance space travel becomes a closer reality.
Setting up states of hibernation in humans and generating the similar high protein metabolism of bears will assist in speeding the healing of severely burned patients or those comatose as a result of massive trauma.
Ursodeoxycholic acid, which is found in bears' bile, is already being used to stop the crystallization of cholesterol and to dissolve gallstones.

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