Here at Fahlo, we love polar bears. That’s why we’re fighting so hard to save them, by supporting nonprofit wildlife conservation organizations such as Polar Bears International with polar bear-tracking our Venture Bracelet and Venture Plush. Not only does our partner do important work to help polar bears remain in their natural habitats, they also conduct crucial research on this fascinating species.
Let’s find out some more facts about our favorite Arctic mammals. Knowing what we know about the bear species in general, one question in particular that gets asked a lot is “do polar bears hibernate or not?”
Most of us associate bears with hibernation, but the truth is a little more complicated than that. Different types of bears have different hibernation patterns, with some spending more time dormant than others. Some bears may also leave their den during the hibernation period, and this is highly dependent on their environment as well as the species of bear in question.
In this article, we’ll answer that question (do polar bears hibernate?) and take a look at polar bear hibernation habits. We’ll also explain how they compare and contrast with other kinds of bears.
THE REALITY OF POLAR BEAR HIBERNATION
While there’s no such thing as a hibernating polar bear , they are generally much less active during harsh winter months or during the summer when energy conservation is crucial.
DO POLAR BEARS HIBERNATE IN THE SUMMER?
Summer presents the opposite challenge for polar bears. As sea ice melts and disappears, these marine mammals often find themselves stranded on land with limited access to their primary prey: seals.
During these lean months, polar bears may travel inland. They’ll scavenge for berries, bird eggs, and vegetation.
Many polar bears fast for extended periods, sometimes up to several months. They rely entirely on their winter fat reserves while spending most of their time resting to conserve energy until the sea ice returns.
DO POLAR BEARS HIBERNATE IN THE WINTER?
For most polar bears, winter means constant activity and travel across the sea ice in search of seals. Male polar bears and non-pregnant females remain active hunters throughout the coldest months, often traveling hundreds of miles searching for prey.
Their exceptional insulation system (two fur layers plus thick blubber) allows them to hunt comfortably in conditions that would be deadly to most mammals, even when temperatures reach -50°F. This keeps them warm without the need for true polar bear hibernation.
WHY DON'T POLAR BEARS HIBERNATE?
Unlike other bear species, polar bears don't hibernate in the traditional sense because their Arctic environment operates on a completely different seasonal cycle. While conventional wisdom to the question "do polar bears hibernate" might suggest yes, the reality is counterintuitive: winter is actually their most productive season.
HUNTING
The winter season is prime time for polar bears to hunt seals on the sea ice. When temperatures drop and ice expands, seals become easier to catch as they surface at breathing holes. This is when polar bears build up crucial fat reserves that will sustain them through leaner times.
FAT RESERVES
As mentioned earlier, their fat reserves are essential for survival. They store energy in a thick layer of blubber up to 4.5 inches deep. A successful hunting season allows polar bears to consume enough food to survive several months without eating.
WALKING HIBERNATION
During the summer months, polar bears enter a state of hibernation. This state of polar bear hibernation is often known as “walking hibernation.” Throughout the walking polar bear hibernation period, they significantly slow down their metabolism while maintaining their body temperature and waiting for warmer weather.
While there’s a clear difference between this and their typical activity level during the summer, walking hibernation is very different from a full state of polar bear hibernation. Other species that go through hibernation usually experience a much greater drop in temperature and are substantially less active during the hibernation period.
PREGNANCY
Even though these snow animals don’t tend to fully hibernate during the winter months, female polar bears go through a period of inactivity before and after they give birth to cubs. In fact, an expecting mother can go as long as eight months in her den without consuming any food.
With that being said, even this isn’t exactly polar bear hibernation, new mothers need to maintain a relatively high body temperature to effectively care for their new cubs. Pregnant female polar bears usually enter dens during the fall, while non-pregnant bears may remain active during this time. They will then emerge when the cubs are ready to leave the den and can withstand the harsh Arctic conditions.
Different types of bears are more active during the winter than others, and polar bears fall somewhere in the middle. While their body temperature doesn’t go through any dramatic changes, they tend to stay in one place and eat much less food than they do during the colder months. This is one of the most common misconceptions surrounding polar bears as well as other animals in the bear family.
PROTECTING THE FUTURE OF POLAR BEARS
Understanding whether polar bears hibernate helps us appreciate how climate change threatens this threatened species. As sea ice continues to shrink, polar bears face longer periods without access to their primary food source. This makes energy conservation increasingly critical for their survival.
Here at Fahlo, we’re committed to doing our part to protect the future of polar bears across the world. Find out more about this beautiful species by visiting Polar Bears International.