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The Black Bear hibernates anywhere between five and seven
months each year. Sites preferred for their winter dens are small caves,
crevices, geological features,beneath windfalls or blow downs. During the
hibernation period, a Black Bear's body temperature falls to about 88
degrees F, from a normal temperature of 101 F. The frequency of its
heartbeat decreases to about 50% of normal. The females typically hibernate
longer than the males, especially while suckling cubs, retiring earlier in
the fall and leaving later in the spring.
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