Baby Grizzlies Get Helped Over a Garden Fence by Their Mom
Grizzly bears have a reputation as ferocious animals (that is not always deserved) but they make exceptionally dedicated and caring mothers. In this wholesome clip, we see a Mom grizzly gently lift her two cubs over a high garden fence. The fence is much too high for the cubs to manage by themselves. Using her mouth, she grasps the loose skin at the side of their necks and hoists them over. It takes a lot of strength and patience to get the entire family into the yard!
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How Do Grizzly Bears Normally Give Birth?
Grizzly bears are brown bears found in several areas of North America. During their fertile periods, female bears mate with several different males. At this time, it is common to see males fighting over receptive females. In general, the female is receptive to mating for between 10 and 30 days. During this time, she will make this clear to the males by scent-marking her territory. Mating takes place between May and July.
Even though fertilization takes place immediately, the embryo does not implant straight away. It will only implant around five months after mating if the female has gained enough weight to sustain a healthy pregnancy. Bears are pregnant for between six and eight weeks and give birth between January and March. This is when the bears are still in hibernation. They have two or three cubs per litter but it can be four.
How Do Grizzly Bears Normally Care For Their Cubs?
The baby bears are blind, helpless, and furless when they are born. However, by the age of three months, they have gained a lot of weight and grown a coating of thick fur. The mother continues to feed them on her milk until they are between 18 and 30 months of age. However, from about five months old they are experimenting with different foods!
Grizzly cubs remain with their mother until the second spring of their life. Having said that, many remain with their mom for three or even four years. During this time, she cares for them and teaches them how to find food. Bear cubs can continue growing until they are 11 years old! They become sexually mature at around five years of age.
The male grizzly bears do not contribute to raising the cubs at all. After mating they wander off looking for sources of food and for other receptive females to mate with.
The photo featured at the top of this post is © John Morrison/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images