Page:Babyhood of Wild Beasts.djvu/99

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BABY BEARS
79

nate (or fall into a deep sleep). This is really a remarkable means Nature has taken to protect her children. Bears cannot procure sufficient food after the snow falls, so Nature has given them the means of storing up great quantities of fat under their skins to nourish them through the long, cold winter. Bears crawl into deep holes during this period, go into a deep sleep, and are nourished by their fat.

Tropical bears do not hibernate. The first of May old Bruin begins shedding his coat. By August 1st he has finished his shedding process and appears clad in a brand new suit. He is a very handsome fellow now.

The polar bear does not change the colour of his coat. He is quite content with his snow-white jacket, which is useful as well as beautiful. Also, it is a protection in his white home among the snow and ice.

Although old Mr. Bruin is one of the big fellows in the animal world, he suffers many privations from naughty little pests, hunters and trappers. Often big Bears are caught red-handed by angry bumble bees stealing wild honey from their hives. They sting him in the eyes and on his