There are eight different types of bears: Asiatic, Black, Brown, Polar, Panda, Sloth, Spectacled and Sun. A bear usually walks on all four of its legs, but sometimes uses only two, just like humans.  They walk on all four paws but can rise up on their hind legs.  When a bear 'hibernates' it is really in a deep sleep.  It's body temperature drops but not drastically and it does not wake up...not even to go to the bathroom or get some food.  The one exception is that a mother bear will wake up to give birth to her cubs in January or February.

Why would a bear want to sleep so long?  Bears that live in colder northern regions sleep in their dens right through the winter.  In some cases as long as seven months.  Once spring arrives, the bear (and possibly some cubs) will emerge from the den with a big appetite.  Not all species of bear will hibernate.  Bears like the Asiatic Bear live in warmer climates where food is readily available all year long and there is no need to hibernate.