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GRIZZY BEARS!!!!!
Posted by Bear World on Feb 25, 2011 in Blog | Comments Off on GRIZZY BEARS!!!!!
The word “grizzly” in its name refers to “grizzled” or grey hairs in its fur, but when naturalist George Ord formally named the bear in 1815, he misunderstood the word as “grisly”. The grizzly bear is a subspecies of the brown bear. A pronounced muscular hump occurs on their shoulders which strengthens their front limbs for digging and running. Grizzlies can attain a speed of about 35 mph. Once mated with a male in the summer, the...
Read moreElk (Cervus elaphus)
Posted by Bear World on Feb 9, 2011 in Blog | Comments Off on Elk (Cervus elaphus)
Bull = Male adult; Cow = Female adult; Calf = baby; Spike = Yearling male Calves are Typically born in late May through early June and are born spotted and scentless An elks diet consists mostly of grasses, forbs, shrubs, tree bark, and twigs An elk’s stomach has four chambers: the first stores food, and the other three digest it Antlers = Only male elk have antlers; Bulls shed and grow a new set of antlers every year; New antlers are covered in fuzzy skin called...
Read moreBison
Posted by Bear World on Feb 3, 2011 in Blog | Comments Off on Bison
Also known as the American buffalo (although it isn’t related to the true buffalo). Due to their large size few predators attack bison. However, wolf packs can take down a bison. There are even documented cases of a single wolf taking down bison The bison’s main food is grass. The rutting, or mating, season lasts from June through September with peak activity in July and August. At this time, the older bulls rejoin the herd and fights often take place...
Read moreMountain Goats (Oreamnos americanus)
Posted by Bear World on Jan 20, 2011 in Blog | Comments Off on Mountain Goats (Oreamnos americanus)
Adult males = Billy; Adult females = Nannies; Babie = Kids Both male and female mountain goats have beards, short tails, and long black horns, 15–28 cm in length, which contain yearly growth rings. Male goats also have longer horns and a longer beard than nannies. The mountain goat’s feet have inner pads that provide traction and cloven hooves that can be spread apart as needed. Also, the tip of their feet have Dewclaws that are sharp to keep them from...
Read moreWhat is Delayed Implantation?
Posted by Bear World on Dec 22, 2010 in Blog | Comments Off on What is Delayed Implantation?
Only the coolest part about being a momma bear! Did you know they are only REALLY pregnant for about 2 months?! Let me explain… North American Black bears usually mate in May and June, however, the cubs are not born until mid January. So, how are they pregnant for only 2 months you ask? Delayed Implantation is how. After mating, the fertilized egg develops into a tiny ball of cells or “blastocyst”, at which time development stops and the...
Read moreWhere do the Bears go in the Winter?
Posted by Bear World on Dec 1, 2010 in Blog | Comments Off on Where do the Bears go in the Winter?
Many people wonder where all the bears at Yellowstone Bear World go in the winter. The answer is that they all stay right here! Throughout the park there are dens that are set up year round that the bears sleep in. When winter begins to set in the bears gradually disappear into their dens. Some of the bears like to sleep alone, and other like to sleep with their friends. The dens are covered with logs and branches on the top to insulate the area and keep it warm, and...
Read moreBear Safety Tips
Posted by Bear World on Nov 22, 2010 in Blog | Comments Off on Bear Safety Tips
As promised, here are some great tips on how to stay safe when you’re in Bear Country. Keeping the surrounding area free of bear- attractants. Keep your trash in bear-resistant containers, don’t hang bird-feeders, and do not leave food, grease, or left-overs from meals lying out. You should also secure pet-food. If you are camping, then store your food in a bag and suspend it from a tree away from your campground. Cook 100 m downwind from your tent. Doing...
Read moreMyth #4: Bears can’t run downhill
Posted by Bear World on Nov 1, 2010 in Blog | Comments Off on Myth #4: Bears can’t run downhill
There is a well-known myth that says that if you’re being chased by a bear, then you should run downhill because bears can’t run downhill. The myth justifies this conclusion by saying that a bears front legs are shorter than it’s hind legs, so it can’t run downhill. This is FALSE. Bears can outrun you no matter where you try to run. They can run just as fast downhill as they can uphill. They can actually run over 37 miles per hour! That’s...
Read moreMyth #3: If a Bear is standing on its hind legs, then it is getting ready to charge you….run!!!
Posted by Bear World on Oct 22, 2010 in Blog | Comments Off on Myth #3: If a Bear is standing on its hind legs, then it is getting ready to charge you….run!!!
This myth couldn’t be more false. Bears can see, hear, and smell better standing up than they can when they are down on all four legs. So when they are standing up they are just trying to see what is in front of them. Cubs especially stand up a lot just to see over the grass. However, there are signs that do indicate that a bear is going to attack. Those signs include: direct eye contact, hanging its head low with its ears laid back, and making woofing, grunting,...
Read moreMyth #2: If charged by a Bear, climb a tree
Posted by Bear World on Oct 19, 2010 in Blog | Comments Off on Myth #2: If charged by a Bear, climb a tree
This one is relatively simple to answer…. Bears are actually excellent climbers! Black Bears are the better climbers between Black Bears and Grizzlies, but Grizzlies can also climb trees, just not as fast as a Black Bear. Moral of the story: don’t climb a tree if a bear charges you…they’ll follow you up there, and then you’ll be stuck up a tree with a bear!
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