Bety and Sassy are ready for a long winter's nap. The two black bears at Your Birmingham Zoo have entered their dens for the season and will reemerge in a few months. Most of us were taught that bears hibernate during the winter. The more accurate word is torpor, not hibernate. Torpor Facts: 1. In torpor, their metabolism drops, but not as dramatically as in hibernation. 2. Their body temperature drops less dramatically as well (5-10 degrees). 3. In torpor, their heart and breathing rates decrease slightly, as well. 4. Bears can wake up easily and quickly in torpor. "Don't poke a sleeping bear" 5. Bety and Sassy have access to food throughout this period. 6. The bears can eat up to 250 calories per day or totally ignore food depending on the day. 7. Bety and Sassy typically come out of torpor in February but that timeframe can shift. Goodnight, Bety and Sassy. We will see you in a few months. 🐻🐻💤 #bears #torpor #zoo #zoolife #learning