Up to 3 young can be born and will stay in the den with the mother until spring. The number of young is partially determined by the mother's health as she enters her den. Spring arrives and it's time to leave the den. The young have grown five to ten pounds and will stay with mom for about eighteen months. During this time, they will learn the skills necessary to survive.
Cubs continue nursing as they begin foraging.
Bears are opportunists and take advantage of what is available. Spring offers grasses, flowers, and other vegetation. As summer approaches, berries, ants, and termites are added to their diet. With the arrival of fall, the drive to eat nuts and other foods high in important fats and calories increases. At this point bears may eat 20,000 calories a day.