Bears undergo a specialized form of hibernation, unique to bears alone. These miraculous mammals do not eat, drink, urinate, or defecate for a period of many months. Through it all, they manage to maintain muscle mass, even though they remain in a sedentary state from roughly November to April. How do they do it?

During the deep cold of winter I think about our wildlife. How do they cope? 

I often think of bears, in particular.

I think of bears out there, in their dens - quiet and still.

Waiting out winter.