Caydens Random Things Website
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Bears are mammals that belong to the family Ursidae. They can be as small as four feet long and about 60 pounds (the sun bear) to as big as eight feet long and more than a thousand pounds (the polar bear). They’re found throughout North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.
They have nonretractable claws, short tails, and excellent sense of smell. They’re typically solitary, except for mothers with cubs. There are eight species: Asiatic black bears (also called moon bears), brown bears (which include grizzly bears), giant pandas, North American black bears, polar bears, sloth bears, spectacled bears (also called Andean bears), and sun bears.
During winter, when food is scarce, most bears have an effective survival solution: hibernation, a physical state in which the heart rate, body temperature, metabolism, and respiration is lowered. Grizzly and black bears can go for 100 days or so without eating, drinking, urinating, or defecating. They live off a layer of fat that they build up during the summer and fall.
All bears are considered omnivores—and yes, they all love the taste of honey—but each species has a preferred diet. Polar mostly eat seals. American black bears love berries and insect larvae when they’re available, and giant pandas mainly eat bamboo, though they’ll also eat small animals. Despite their name, sloth bears are ferociously fast eaters, able to tear a hole in a termite mound, push their noses inside, and inhale a full meal in just a few seconds. Brown bears in Alaska gorge on spawning salmon, plucking them from the water or catching them right out of the air as they jump.
With over 9,000 acres of sanctuary lands an hour outside of Denver, The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg is an attraction travelers can’t miss. It’s not only a place to spot big cats but is also thoroughly invested in the captive-wild-animal crisis and helps animals around the world, operating with a mission of saving animals from less-than-ideal situations and rehabilitating them. A typical visit might last 4 to 6 hours, spent walking the 1.5-mile walkway, stopping for lunch at the visitor’s center and learning about the wonderful creatures that call the sanctuary home. Here’s a closer look at why you and your family should add The Wild Animal Sanctuary to your northeast Colorado itinerary.
Nearly 650 animals roam large-acreage, natural habitats and make Colorado’s Wild Animal Sanctuary a must-see for animal lovers. The sanctuary is the oldest in the country, with over 40 years of experience. And while the center is open year-round, there are certain times of the day that are better to see the animals in action. In the summer it’s best to arrive in the late afternoon, as the animals nap during the hottest parts of the day. Come winter, you’re more likely to see animals up and about throughout the day.
Catch a tiger splashing in a pool, watch a lion play on a “jungle gym” or a bear playing with a “boomer ball.” The center is host to animals from all different backgrounds including coyotes, jaguars, mountain lions, leopards, alpacas and more. Over the course of the sanctuary’s history, they’ve rescued over 1,000 animals — all from illegal situations or neglect — with more than 650 living at the facility today. There’s even a roundhouse to receive new tigers, designed to allow them to recuperate and adjust.
The center is home to an elevated walkway above the animal habitats that provides a fantastic view for visitors, while ensuring the animals are comfortable. At 1.51 miles in length, it even holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s longest footbridge. Be sure to visit in the summer for Wild Nights — as the sun starts to set, the animals are particularly active. Wolves begin howling, lions roar and there are beautiful sunset views. You can even bring a picnic dinner!