BROWN BEAR

The Bear in Somiedo

The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is a mammal belonging to the Order Carnivora. It has a stocky body, a large head with small rounded ears, a very short tail, short robust legs, and feet and hands with five toes equipped with large claws. It walks on the soles of its feet (plantigrade). Its coat varies in colour, combining different shades of brown from light to almost black. Its dentition is very distinctive compared to other carnivores, as it is adapted to an omnivorous diet.

Few animals capture the imagination quite like bears. Several sociological studies have explored this phenomenon, and one explanation is linked to the maternal image of the bear and its association with children, almost all of whom have had a teddy bear as a childhood companion.

Whatever the reason, bears are genuinely captivating, especially for nature lovers. They are also one of the species for which the greatest conservation efforts have been made worldwide. Having bears in a territory is therefore an enormous privilege — especially in Europe, where there seems to be ever less space for wild fauna.

Dimensions:

• Nose to tail: 1.7 to 2 metres

• Shoulder height: 0.9 to 1 metre

Weight:

Males can weigh over 170 kg, while females weigh around 120 kg. Weight varies considerably depending on the time of year and the availability of food.

Longevity:

In the wild they can live up to around 25 years.

Signs of bear presence

• Droppings: Usually large and of variable shape depending on the season and diet. Undigested food remains can be identified: fruit, plant matter, insect elytra and hairs.

• Claw marks on tree trunks: Three or four parallel linear marks, located between 1 and 1.8 metres above the ground.

• Overturned stones, excavations.

• Excavated ant hills.

Tracks

Bear tracks are strikingly large, showing five toes with claws. In many cases the claws do not leave a mark, and only the pad and toe impressions are visible. The hind paw print, which differs from the front, is elongated and narrower. The width of the front paw print varies between 100 and 140 mm (depending on sex and age). The size and shape of the hind foot is comparable to a human foot, with a length between 98 and 165 mm.

Spotting bears in Somiedo

It is not easy to spot bears in Somiedo — they tend to inhabit the most remote and inaccessible areas of the natural park — but there are months when it is easier to find them.

Spring is the best time to spot bears. From April onwards, after the winter dormancy, female bears and their cubs leave the mountain and forest areas to look for food in the lower zones and meadows, making them easier to locate.

Another good time is late summer and autumn, when bears search for the fruits and berries that have ripened during summer. It is not uncommon to find them gorging themselves in cherry trees and hazel trees.