GETTING FOOD The brown bear, black bear, and giant panda bear are primarily herbavores. The polar bear, on the other hand, is mostly a meat eater. The giant panda relys too much on one source of food, the bamboo. This has caused them great harm and has led them to near extinction. The brown bear and black bear will eat almost anything. From berries, nuts, and acorns to carrion, fish, and small mammals, they will eat it. The polar bear's favorite meal is the seal. Senses The hearing and smell of bears are excellent. Smell is used in identification of others and in searching for food. Their sight is average compared to other animal species.

REPRODUCTION AND HIBERNATION Reproduction Reproduction among bears takes place in a similar manner to that of canines. During the three weeks in which the female is in estrus, she will mate with more than one male. Gestation generally takes about 220 days and for most the cubs are born while the mother is in hibernation. Then the mother is ready to come out of the den, so are the cubs. Hibernation Not all bears hibernate. Black bears and brown bears do, but the only polar bear that will hibernate is a pregnate female. Before hibernation as much food is consumed as possible. When the bear begins to be lathargic, they will enter an area sheltered from the weather. Hibernation make take place for 4 to 7 months; females hibernate longer than males. During the hibernation period no waste is passed, but is recycled. Body functions decrease in half, body temperature drops more than 10 degrees, and the bear's heat beat drops from 40-70 beats per minute to about 8-12 beats per minute.