For bears — and other creatures — coming out of hibernation, waking up is no joke

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

Try to go back to sleep, of course. At least, that’s how the joke goes. But for bears — and other creatures — coming out of hibernation, waking up is no joke. And this year, those bears have been making the news around the world because they’ve been waking up a little too early.

Europe had a particularly warm winter, and many parts of the United States also experienced some unusually higher temperatures during the winter months. That weather caused many bears to wake up a tad too early. And if you think waking up early is bad as a person, imagine how tough it is for a hibernating bear who hasn’t eaten for months! Grrr.

What should you do if you want breakfast in bed? Sleep in the kitchen. (There’s another joke for you!) Bears don’t have kitchens — and when they wake up after having been in a state of hibernation for months, they need food. Lots of it. But most of what they eat, like many of the plants, berries, and smaller animals they rely on, might not be available yet, because the season isn’t right.

Early Risers

Bears usually emerge in April from their winter’s sleep. When they come out earlier, this can set a big bad cycle in motion: When those bears have babies, they won’t be able to feed their cubs the nutrients they need to grow healthy and strong because their favorite plants haven’t yet produced fruit and their tasty critter snacks are still hibernating. The cubs might not survive! It could also mean that adult bears might come closer to human dwellings in search of stuff to eat. That can result in damaged property and cars — or worse. (Don’t use your imagination!)

In the spring of 2019, when some bears also emerged early, Russia declared a state of emergency over the issue. Many polar bears were on the prowl in inhabited places, and some were even attacking people. (That’s really no joke!) So if you see a bear coming out of hibernation — or you see a bear anytime, really — stay far away, and ask an adult to call animal control services.

Rousing the Hibernators

Bears are probably the best-known hibernators. There are many other creatures that hibernate, too. Maybe they’re less familiar than bears because they’re a lot smaller, but they’re no less amazing.

Hibernation allows them to survive periods of deep cold, when little food is available (or for those that “hibernate” in the summer, periods of heat and drought). Other animals hibernate just when the food supply disappears, or even for protection from predators.

Hibernation isn’t exactly like sleep. It’s when a creature reduces its metabolism (certain body processes) by as much as 95 percent, decreases many other physical functions, and goes into a state of torpor, a type of inactivity. (Next time you’re lounging on the couch, just tell your parents you’re in torpor. They’ll be so impressed with your vocabulary, they’ll forget to tell you to get up and get moving!)

So, aside from the bears, who else is going to be popping out this spring?