The newborns are blind, toothless, and covered with short, fine hair that seems to inadequately cover their pink skin. Cubs nurse in the den while the sow is hibernating. Boars do not help rear young. Most black bear cubs stay with the sow for a little more than a year. They watch her every move and learn by imitating her.
Cubs are playful, regularly romping and wrestling with their littermates.
The sows are very protective of cubs, sending them up trees if danger threatens. Adult males occasionally kill and eat cubs. The family group disbands the following summer when the sow again is ready to breed. What To Do If You Live in Bear Country If you live or have a summer home in bear country, you may have to make adjustments in your lifestyle if you plan to coexist peacefully with these large animals. Make sure you don't encourage resident bears to become 'nuisance' bears by carelessly handling garbage or intentionally feeding bears.