APRIL AT A GLANCE

• Most bears leave their dens for good.
• Cubs get their first look at their new world. 
• Mother bears continue to nurse and keep their den and cubs clean.
• Bears that found human-provided foods last year head straight for these food sources.

Long Winter’s Nap Ends

By the end of April most bears have left their dens for good. The days begin to lengthen, temperatures warm up and spring arrives, bringing with it nutritious spring grasses and budding plants. In areas where snow covered the ground, the spring melt often reveals the carcasses of animals that died over the winter as well as the last fruits, nuts and berries of fall, all good food for hungry bears. One bear in California was observed following its nose for more than three miles directly to the carcass of a winter-killed deer.

Wake Up and Smell the Ants

After acclimating to the world, bears start feeding on early spring greenery as well as any insects they can find, including ants, bees and termites.

The Search for Food

Hibernating bears can lose 20 to 50 percent of their body weight over the winter; bears are still living off their fat reserves in the spring. So, after a few days of drinking water, eating some roughage and stretching their legs, bears begin searching for more food. Bears have great memories, so bears that learned to rely on high-calorie, human-provided food sources last year make a beeline for the bounty.

Now’s the time to secure your garbage, make sure pet food is safely stashed inside and take down your bird feeders.