10 Fascinating Facts About Bears (That Make Me Love Drawing Them Even More)
As someone who draws bears often—and loves them deeply—I’ve spent a lot of time learning about these beautiful animals. The more I learn, the more inspired I become. There’s so much more to bears than strength or wildness. They’re intelligent, emotional, nurturing, and surprisingly relatable.
So today, I wanted to share some of my favorite fascinating facts about bears—the kind of little truths that make you stop and smile. Maybe even fall a little more in love with them, just like I have.
1. Bears are great moms.
Mother bears are incredibly devoted. A mama bear will care for her cubs for up to two and a half years, teaching them everything they need to know to survive. She’s protective, patient, and fiercely loving—qualities I try to capture in every mother-and-cub drawing.
2. They’re smarter than you think.
Bears have excellent long-term memory and problem-solving skills. Studies show they’re as intelligent as primates—and some bears have been known to unscrew jars, open doors, and even use tools in the wild. Brain and brawn? Absolutely.
3. They need their alone time.
Most bears are solitary by nature. Outside of mama bears with cubs or occasional siblings, they prefer quiet space, especially during feeding season. They remind us that solitude isn’t loneliness—it’s something sacred.
4. Hibernation is serious business.
In winter, bears enter a state called torpor, which is a form of hibernation. During this time, their body temperature drops, heart rate slows, and they don’t eat, drink, or use the bathroom for months. Yet they wake in spring strong and ready. It’s nature’s reset button.
5. Their sense of smell is better than a bloodhound’s.
Bears can smell food, other animals, and even mates from miles away. A bear’s sense of smell is thought to be 2,100 times better than a human’s—one of the strongest in the animal kingdom.
6. They sometimes adopt orphaned cubs.
There have been documented cases of female bears adopting and caring for orphaned cubs, even when they’re not their own. That level of empathy and instinct speaks volumes about their emotional world.
7. Bears can run fast—like, really fast.
Despite their large size, many bears can run up to 35 miles per hour. That’s faster than the average horse! Thankfully, they only run when they have to. Most of the time, they prefer a peaceful stroll.
8. Cubs hum when they’re happy.
Yes—really. When nursing, bear cubs have been observed making a soft humming or purring sound. It’s one of the sweetest things I’ve ever learned, and I imagine it every time I draw a little one nestled close to its mama.
9. They stand upright to see better—not to threaten.
When a bear rises on its hind legs, it’s usually not to be aggressive—it’s simply trying to get a better view or catch a scent. That upright posture is often misunderstood, but in reality, it’s more about curiosity than confrontation.
10. Bears feel—deeply.
From playing with siblings to mourning lost cubs, bears have been observed expressing emotion. They form bonds, learn from experience, and show signs of joy, grief, affection, and even problem-solving frustration.
That’s what makes them so powerful to draw—they have soul.
Why I Keep Drawing Them
Bears aren’t just beautiful—they’re beautifully complex. Strong and gentle. Solitary yet maternal. Curious, intelligent, and emotionally rich. Every time I draw them, I feel like I’m honoring more than an animal—I’m honoring a story. A truth. A kind of love that exists in the wild, and maybe even within ourselves.
With heart,
Nancy