CHAPTER VIII. 



THE SNOW BEAR. 



Ursus Isabellinus. 



Generally throughout the hills — Ldl Bhdlu. In Kashmir — Hdrpai. 



THE Snow Bear, Brown Bear, Red Bear, or White Bear, as it is variously called, 

 inhabits most of the highest forest-clad ranges, but it is by far most numerous in Kashmir. 

 In that country, in 1864, a friend of mine saw twenty-eight in one day, and shot seven. I 

 have myself seen thirteen. Forty years ago, the country must have been literally swarming 

 with them, and I have heard that the people were afraid to go from one village to another, 

 after dark. Now-a-days every one who visits Kashmir shoots a few Bears, and the only 

 wonder is that the race is not quite exterminated. 



I think the name of Snow Bear is most appropriate, as the animal is usually to be 

 found in the summer months along the margin of the snow, and it never descends, like the 

 Himalayan Black Bear, to the lower ranges. 



The Snow Bear varies a good deal in size and color, partly doubtless according to age 

 and sex ; but the variations are also individual, and it would be impossible to tell the sex of 

 a Bear from its size or color. 



As a rule the old males are the darkest, and young Bears of both sexes the lightest color- 

 ed, the very young ones having a white collar. I have not kept any accurate measurements, 

 but a very large Bear would be about seven feet long, from snout to tail, the latter appendage 

 being only two or three inches in length. 



The hair is about eight inches long, and when killed early in the season, the skin is 

 exceedingly handsome. 



This Bear lives more upon roots than other species, not being such a fruit-eater as the 

 Black Bear, probably for the reason that he would have to resort to the warmer valleys to 

 procure it. His arms and claws are admirably adapted for digging, the former being enor- 

 mously muscular, and the latter powerful, slightly curved, and three or four inches in length. 



The Snow Bear invariably hibernates, retiring to some cave at the commencement of 

 winter, and reappearing in April or May when the snows begin to melt. Bears have very 

 seldom been found during their winter-sleep, and I am not aware whether they actually 



