From the Facebook of: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 

Did you know that black bears don’t hibernate? If you didn’t, you’re not alone – it’s an extremely common misconception!

Come winter, black bears enter a state of lowered metabolism that is technically classified as torpor. So, what’s the difference? While it is a little more complicated, it’s easiest to think of hibernation as more of a deep sleep and torpor like a lighter sleep. When in torpor, a bear’s metabolism won’t drop quite as low as an animal in true hibernation, and they can still get up every now and then to check out their surroundings and, if necessary, defend themselves.

For the DNR’s Black Bear Litter and Diet Survey, scientists wait until bears enter torpor in the late fall and winter so that they can study these animals and their dens in the safest way possible. The project seeks to gain a better understanding of the key reproductive rates needed to inform bear management decisions in Wisconsin. To do this however, scientists need to know where dens are located throughout the state and the public is often the best resource.

Find out how you can safely report a bear den to scientists: https://dnr.wi.gov/tiny/2056