All bears lose weight at this time of year. Green plants begin to grow and trees begin to sprout leaves. They begin to eat sprouting grass, emerging herbs and young aspen leaves. Cubs taste what their mother eats, but swallow very little or it. They still rely on their mother s milk.
Mother bears that are nursing young cubs continue to lose weight.
Other bears slowly begin to gain weight. Green plants mature and toughen, making most of them inedible for the bears. Ant pupae become abundant and bears add them to their diet. Mating season begins and males roam widely to find females without cubs. Mothers stop losing weight.