{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreicsqt3y5u5odu2e2pcucj6tmvnvvhh63tinw3aqevpb3b4mhw2hte",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:73txmnzc4imhrv5q7azno3up/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjmzzgmovqp2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreiaojvqnoqec5rdlgkg33cpkwzhihjwho46pkhicgc2gy2ujpbjn3u"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 158017
  },
  "path": "/news/animal/166439-bear-hibernation-plug-spring-danger-explained/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-16T16:30:00.000Z",
  "site": "https://english.pravda.ru",
  "tags": [
    "Animal"
  ],
  "textContent": "Every winter, the taiga falls silent. Brown bears disappear into their dens, entering a state that is mistakenly called deep sleep. In reality, it is an extremely complex survival process. During this period, a dense \"plug” forms in the animal's body, known among taiga dwellers as the bear plug. This is not just biological waste. It is 33 centimeters of dry, compressed mass that turns a peaceful animal into a powder keg.\nWhat Is the Bear Plug: The Anatomy of Survival\n\nDuring hibernation, the bear's intestines stop functioning in their usual way. The animal neither eats nor drinks for months. To prevent valuable moisture from evaporating and waste products from contaminating the den, nature has created a natural barrier. The plug blocks the exit, functioning like a sealed valve. Its length can reach 40 cm, and its density resembles wood or old felt.\n\"Bear plug is not a pathology, but the pinnacle of adaptation. Without it, the animal simply would not be able to maintain cleanliness in its winter shelter and would risk dehydration,” explained zootechnician Sergey Pakhomov in an interview with Pravda.Ru.\n\nWhen spring arrives, the animal begins to move. Internal pressure builds up. The process of releasing the plug is a painful and prolonged stage. It is during these days that the bear in its den becomes максимально vulnerable and aggressive. Physical discomfort deprives it of sleep and caution.",
  "title": "The Secret of the 'Bear Plug': Why Spring Bears Are the Most Dangerous"
}