Observing Bears - Inside the Bear’s Den

When you’re out in the wilderness on a wildlife holiday dedicated to observing bears, there are plenty of clues to indicate one of the animals may be nearby. You might see footprints in the mud, or narrowly avoid stepping in a pile of scat (droppings). You might notice clawed-up tree trunks, or trodden-down trails in the grass. With a sharp eye, you may even be able to spot a bear’s den. On a reputable wildlife tour focused on observing bears, your guide should be able to help you recognise a den when you encounter one.

Building a Den

Most species of bear in northern climates use their dens during the winter for hibernation; the exception is the Polar Bear – only pregnant females undergo any sort of winter dormancy. Bears make their dens in all sorts of places: in hollow, rotten trees for example, in caves or under rocky outcroppings, or under piles of brush or branches that have been blown down by the wind. A bear might burrow into a hillside, nest among the roots of a fallen tree, or even snuggle up in a previously occupied den vacated that past spring.

If the bear has chosen to burrow to make its den, it can usually complete a major excavation in three to seven days, sometimes moving up to one tonne of material! An earthen bear den consists of an entrance, a short tunnel, and a chamber. The bear covers the chamber floor with bedding material, which may be anything from spruce boughs to shredded bark. The entrance is just large enough for the bear to squeeze through - it needs to be as small as possible in order to prevent heat loss during the colder months. The chamber itself is small too - only a little larger than the bear itself - for the same reason.

Bedding Down for Winter

Bears begin building their dens as the days grow colder and shorter. Some Grizzly Bears may excavate their dens long before hibernation, but others might wait until the last minute. Pregnant females are the first to enter their dens, followed by females with cubs, sub-adult bears, and adult males.

Snugly ensconced in their dens, bears enter a state of dormancy throughout the lean winter months. While hibernating, their body temperature lowers and the heart rate slows. The length of its hibernation may vary with the climate and latitude, but for a period of anywhere between three to eight months, bears neither eat nor eliminate waste. They will not feed again until they emerge from their dens in the spring.

Emerging from the Den

As the snow melts and food becomes available again, the bear emerges from its den. Males appear first, then solitary females, then females with one or two-year-old cubs. Finally, the female emerges with her cubs. The mother bear will have nursed her cubs in the den until they are strong enough to leave the den for the first time. If you’re observing bears in spring or early summer, you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a mother bear with her newborns – a truly memorable wildlife watching experience.

If you're serious about observing bears, it’s important to know the telltale signs of the animals’ presence. A dedicated wildlife tour is the perfect opportunity to get to know the secret world of the bear. With a qualified and knowledgeable guide, you can spot the clues everywhere in the backdrop of the forest.

Marissa Ellis-Snow is a freelance nature writer. If you’re looking for a holiday with a focus on observing bears, Naturetrek specialises in expert-led natural history and wildlife tours worldwide. Naturetrek brings over 25 years of experience to polar expeditions and tours to other spectacular regions on Earth.

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