Serial Changes in Metabolic Correlates of Hibernation in Female Black Bears

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Abstract
Captive female black bears were immobilized and sampled at approximately 10-day intervals from September to March during 2 years (six bears/year) in Virginia. Ten of 12 bears hibernated for an average of 92 days. Rectal temperature declined (P < 0.001) during hibernation to as low as 34.6°C. Average loss in mass for hibernators was 260 g/day and represented 23.1% of peak body mass. Urea : creatinine ratios differed (P < 0.01) after hibernation between hibernators and active bears, declining to 7.2 ± 0.3 (X̄ ± SE; 84 samples) during hibernation. Serum concentrations of total protein, urea nitrogen, creatinine, and bilirubin also differed (P < 0.01) between groups after onset of hibernation. Urea : creatinine ratio was a good indicator of the hibernating state, but the sensitivity of serum-urea concentrations to diet suggests careful use of this ratio as a field index of hibernation.

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