With the recent release of the movieCocaine Bear , people might be more prepared to question just what is possible in the ursine world . first on the tilt of whatbearscan or ca n’t do is the mystery of how bears produce feces when they do n’t exhaust for month at a metre .

North American bear species – including grizzly , black and brownish bear – typically hole up in dens afterbulking upfor their winter quietus for around 5 - 7 months before come out in the spring . While some do n’t consider gestate species to be dependable hibernators because their organic structure temperature remains comparatively gamy during this full point , others disaccord .

“ In my persuasion , bears are the good hibernators , ” Brian Barnes , Professor of Zoophysiology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks , severalise Slate . “ Their body is a shut system of rules . They can get through winter with only oxygen — it ’s all they need . ”

The length of hibernation depends largely on mintage and latitude , and according to theNational Parks Servicein Yellowstone , hibernation for their bears is around five months . During this time , the bears are very inactive and have importantly lowered heart and respiration rates – black bears can even reduce their metabolism by53 percentage . grim bear generally do not eat , drink , or excrete any waste matter during this sentence . or else , they and other species collect feces in the lower part of their intestine . This is known as a bear fecal fireplug .

While a fecal plug may resemble a standard bearpoop , it is formed not from dissipation food but from the intestinal liner cellular phone and secretions of the bear during hibernation .

Researchershave film bear using a remote camera during this hibernation process and found out that the faecal plug also take fur from grooming , and even portion of the foot pad of the bear . During the hibernation appendage , bears shed their calloused foot pads . When the bear groom their feet they absorb patch of the foot inking pad that throw their way into the faecal plug . The fecal plug can also hold bedding material such as leaves that are capture in the fur of the bear when it grooms .

There issome suggestionthat bears take their footpads as a source of nutrients during the wintertime months , but others advise that the bear licking their feet assist to toughen the soles , preventing injury or pain before emerging in the leaping .

After hibernation , the bear will emerge and defecate the plug , usually near the cave entrance . The North American Bear Centrereports that “ fecal plugs have a light aroma that is not unpleasant ” .