Their hindquarters are under-developed, but they move around, never far from their mother, by crawling and pulling themselves with their front legs. By the time they are 5 weeks old, the cubs are strong enough to walk and when they are ready to leave the den in spring, they have gained considerably in weight and strength. By 6 months of age, the cubs may weight up to 25 kg. Although by then they may be weaned and capable of fending for themselves, they usually stay with their mother for the first year and den with her during the next winter. Then the mother bear goes into oestrus the following summer, the cubs leave, sometimes going their separate ways, or sometimes staying together and sharing a den the following winter.
Young bears are extremely vulnerable during their first year alone and mortality is high.