Not all bears start hibernating at the same time. For grizzly bears in Canada’s Yukon territory, late salmon migration make it possible for hungry out-of-season bears to catch a few extra energy-rich meals before retiring for the winter.
But it’s snowy, “the air temperature is 30 below,” and water is freezing on the bears’ fur. During this short hunting period in the Yukon’s shallow waters, the frosty animals are called ice bears and ice grizzlies.
This BBC clip from Earth’s Greatest Rivers II, narrated by David Oyelowo, shares the region’s unique phenomenon with underwater salmon views and footage of a few snowy bear cubs.
A quick shake or some scratching against a tree can help them defrost when the bears are done tromping through the water to catch fish.
Watch these related bear videos next:
• Visiting a bear’s winter den with Rae Wynn-Grant
• Tracking hungry Alaskan grizzly bears with Phil Torres
• Un albero un anno (One tree one year)
• Polar Bears Eat Goose Eggs: New eating habits in warmer climates
Bonus: What’s the difference between hibernation and sleep?
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