XIX 



CHARACTERISTICS AND HABITS 



GRIZZLY cubs (it seems, on the whole, just as well to 

 begin at the beginning) are brought forth in the 

 winter den, and at about the same time as those of the 

 black bear; that is, about the end of February or early in 

 March. The period of gestation is seven and one-half 

 months. 



Ordinarily a grizzly has either two or three cubs to a 

 litter, with the chances somewhat in favor of the smaller 

 number. Twice I have seen an old grizzly with four cubs, 

 and, very occasionally, one with only one. In the summer 

 of 1906, in one locality, in the mountains on the eastern 

 side of Yellowstone National Park, I saw two old grizzlies 

 with two cubs each, two with three each, and one with 

 four. 



After the cubs are born, the family continues to occupy 

 their den for a month or two, according to the locality; 

 and during this time the conditions make it impossible for 

 the mother to get food. Whether she drinks or not I am 

 unable to say, but she could get water only in the form of 

 the snow that has closed them in. As no food is laid up in 

 the den, and as the old bear does not come out to forage, 



we know for certain that she does not eat during this time. 



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