Before bears settle in for their very long winter’s nap, they need to make sure they have stored up enough fat to sustain them through an extended period of inactivity which can last anywhere from two to seven months, depending on den location. A bear preparing for the big snooze can eat for 20 hours straight and consume up to 20,000 calories worth of nuts, berries, insects, small mammals, and fish in one day. If you missed the live cams of fat-bear-week, you can see highlights from the 2018 all-you-can-eat-a-thon in Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve.
Lisa S. French
December 11, 2018
