Parental+Care

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 * LACTATION / MILK PRODUCTION:** Cubs may be weaned at six to eight months, but a female was observed allowing yearling cubs to suckle in the spring after emerging from the den, and a female who had split up from her yearling cubs was found to be lactating slightly when captured during the mating season
 * For nursing, the female may lie on her back or side, or sit on her haunches with the cub(s) in her lap.
 * Females pick up cubs in their mouth, either by grasping the whole thorax and abdomen (for cubs under about 1 kg) or by grasping the nape of the neck (for larger cubs).
 * On rare occasions, females adopt cubs from other litters.
 * A black bear may abandon her cubs if disturbed in her natal den or if the den is destroyed by logging or construction work; however, often she will return to her cubs if disturbed from the den. One instance is recorded of a disturbed mother carrying first one then the other cub about 2.25 miles, then leading them away.
 * A female in poor body condition may abandon her cubs or may consume newborn cubs.
 * Cubs are sometimes left in "refuge trees" by their mother while she forages.
 * Females look after their cubs for about 16-17 months; the family breaks up in the spring and only very rarely reunite after the mating period.