AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -According to UrsusInternational.org, as soon as she is ready to mate, she will immediately start pushing the cubs off on their own, chasing away the startled cubs if they try to return. This seems cruel, but it may be a way to protect the cubs from being attacked by male bears that are interested in mating.

Detailed explanation-2: -Adult male bears are known to kill cubs that are not theirs-and sometimes the mother that defends them. A new study suggests that smart mama bears have found a surprising way to protect their young. To shield her cubs from male attacks, mom just has to raise them near an adult bear’s No. 1 enemy: humans.

Detailed explanation-3: -Mother bears are affectionate, protective, devoted, strict, sensitive and attentive with their young. Not unlike people, bears can be empathetic, fearful, joyful, playful, social and even altruistic.

Detailed explanation-4: -While generally humans and other animals flee or freeze when faced with an imminent threat-mothers stay put to protect their babies. And neuroscientists from Lisbon’s Champalimaud Centre have discovered the secret ingredient which makes mothers fight rather than flee-it’s the ‘bonding’ or love hormone, oxytocin.

Detailed explanation-5: -Mother polar bears are extremely protective of their young, even risking their own lives in their cubs’ defense.