Do winter bears hibernate?
It would go against all their survival instincts if they
hibernated in the summer
They give birth to their young during the hibernation period, in
the winter
. Being such a large mammal, they need time to nurture their
young in relative protection from large males who have no qualms
about eating a sows babies. Over the millennial of evolution they
have become instinctual about hibernation. By the time the cubs are
nine months or so, they have developed enough skills to survive
with their mother's help.
After they reach the age of two years they go off on their
own