The leading physiologists now simply call it hibernation. The confusion about what to call black bear hibernation is a matter of definition. Black Bear Biology Through years of study and research, CDFW biologists have developed an understanding of California black bears. The California brown bear (Ursus arctos californicus), a subspecies of the brown, or grizzly, bear became extinct in the state around 1924. 7. Black Bear on the Pacific Coast - California. The American black bear (Ursus americanus), is the only bear found in California. But maintaining body heat takes energy. Despite this grave weight loss, over 90 percent of black bears survive the winter. Sometimes, they go in search of humans’ food, and that’s an even bigger problem. Los Padres: The Southern Fringe Black bears with white-bluish fur are known as Kermode (glacier) bears and these unique color phases are only found in coastal British Columbia, Canada. But even though piles of literature, studies, and documents exist, CDFW scientists continue to learn even more about the complexities and capabilities of California black bears. People have called black and grizzly bear hibernation torpor, winter sleep, dormancy, and carnivorean lethargy. Further confusion has arisen because it differs with region and fatness (see other exhibits). Further confusion has arisen because it differs with region and fatness (see other exhibits). They live in many different habitats are not picky about what they eat. Black bears, Grizzly bears and Brown bears do go into a deep sleep during the winter months, known as torpor. DO BLACK BEARS HIBERNATE? Despite this, bears don’t take in calories or expel waste all winter. Hibernation is when animals “sleep” through the winter. Their short claws make black bears expert tree climbers. They may be large, but black bears can run up to 40kmph! About; Contact; Donate; My Account; Bears of the World; Events; Grants; Membership; Publications IBA Resources. With mild temperatures and abundant food sources, bear habitat is ideal along the Pacific Coast. It differs from grizzly bears in being smaller with a smaller shoulder hump, a furred rear instep, a less concave facial profile, smaller claws that are more tightly curved, and longer, smoother, and more tapered ears. Black bear weight varies enormously depending on age, sex and time of year – black bears can be 30% heavier in autumn than they are in spring. The confusion about what to call black bear hibernation is a matter of definition. It is a common misconception that bears hibernate during the winter. Since winters in the Sierra are colder and wetter than those in Southern California, there’s less natural food available, so bears, like many other animals, tend to sleep the winter months away. There are many places to pursue Ursus americanus, but Washington, Oregon and California offer some of the best opportunities in North America.