Do male polar bears hibernate?

September 26, 2013 8:55 AM

Female: yes, it seems. But what about the males?

I can't seem to find a definitive answer. I've found information regarding the female polar bears entering a hibernation-type state when they go into their den to give birth, but I can't find anything that says if male polar bears hibernate. Considering they hunt in the winter and the summer periods are relatively short, I'm wondering if they need to.

posted by Eicats to Science & Nature (3 answers total)

I believe polar bears estivate--which is hibernating, but during summer.
posted by hoyland at 9:55 AM on September 26, 2013

According to Wikipedia, With the exception of pregnant females, polar bears are active year-round, although they have a vestigial hibernation induction trigger in their blood. Unlike brown and black bears, polar bears are capable of fasting for up to several months during late summer and early fall, when they cannot hunt for seals because the sea is unfrozen

So, active but maybe fasting.
posted by quin at 10:58 AM on September 26, 2013

Best answer: Polar bears will reduce their metabolic rate in the summer and will feed opportunistically, but do not hibernate in the way other bears do. Here's a link.
posted by Snazzy67 at 4:07 PM on September 26, 2013