Bears, like many large mammals, have specific terminology used to denote their gender and age. This nomenclature is consistent across the different species of the family Ursidae, including American Black Bears, Grizzly Bears, and Polar Bears. Understanding these specific terms provides a precise way to discuss the animals’ social structure and life cycle stages.
The Specific Name for a Female Bear
The specific name for an adult female bear is a sow. This term is borrowed from the terminology used for swine (adult female pigs) and is applied to the adult females of several large mammal species known for having litters. It is the standard designation for a mature female bear.
The sow’s life is defined largely by its reproductive cycle and the duration of maternal care provided to her young. Female bears typically give birth to one to four cubs during their winter dormancy in the den. The sow plays the sole role in raising the cubs, teaching them foraging skills and protecting them from predators, including adult male bears.
The length of the maternal care period varies based on the species and the environment. For brown bears, cubs may stay with the sow for 1.5 years or 2.5 years, influenced by food resources and the condition of the young. The sow will not typically mate again until her current litter has separated, ensuring she remains focused on her role until the cubs are independent.
Names for Male Bears and Cubs
The adult male bear is designated by the term boar. This name is also shared with male swine and helps differentiate the male from the female in biological discussion. Boars are generally solitary outside of the mating season and play no part in raising the young.
The offspring of bears, regardless of gender, are universally called cubs. Cubs are born small and helpless, weighing less than a pound, and are entirely dependent on the sow for nourishment and protection for their first several months. They are considered cubs until they separate from their mother, often when the sow is ready to breed again.
In the period leading up to separation, the young are sometimes referred to as yearlings, especially if they are in their second year of life. The term dam is a less common designation for a mother bear actively nursing or raising her cubs.
Bear Group Terminology
While most bear species live solitary lives, the collective noun for a group of bears is a sleuth or a sloth. These terms are rarely encountered in common usage due to the animals’ reclusive nature.
A group of bears is typically only seen when a sow is accompanied by her cubs, which constitutes a family unit rather than a true social group. Occasionally, a temporary sleuth or sloth may form when multiple bears converge on a concentrated food source, such as a salmon run. This brief gathering dissolves once the resource is depleted, and the individuals return to their isolated territories.