Wolf w/pupBlack bears and wolves have very different reproductive schedules. Black bears give birth in January after seven months of pregnancy. Wolves give birth in spring after about two months of pregnancy. Both are born with their eyes closed. Pups open their eyes at about two weeks of age, Cubs open their eyes at about six weeks.
Both have blue eyes at first. The pups in the two pictures both are still blue in mid-summer when they are a couple months old. In another couple months these pups will have their adult color that is anything but blue. Black bear cubs keep their blue eyes for eight months or more before switching to their dark adult color.
Red squirrel in snowstorm
Socialization periods also differ. For black bear cubs, the period during which they quickly make lifetime decisions about who is good or bad is mainly from the time they open their eyes at about six weeks until they leave their dens at about 12 weeks. For wolf pups, the main socialization period is the seven weeks after being born. After these critical socialization periods, they are slower to build trust—with the degree of trust varying from individual to individual.
Chickadee in snow
This afternoon, a blizzard hit with periods of tiny snowflakes and periods of the biggest snowflakes I’ve ever seen.
Thank you for all you do,
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center