bjørne

Bjørne is the Danish and Norwegian plural of “bjørn,” the word for bear. In English, the term refers to members of the family Ursidae, which includes 13 extant species such as the brown bear, polar bear, American black bear, Asiatic black bear, and several others. Across Eurasia and North America, bears occupy a variety of habitats from tundra and alpine zones to temperate forests and grasslands. They are omnivorous; their diet comprises vegetation, roots, insects, fish, and carrion, with seasonal shifts toward higher calorie foods such as berries or salmon. Winter hibernation is common among temperate species, while polar bears do not hibernate but reduce activity during the winter months.

Bears are large carnivores and are often perceived as apex predators, though their ecological role is complex, involving seed dispersal and soil nutrient cycling. Their communication includes vocalizations such as growls, huffs, and hisses, as well as scent marking. Reproductive cycles are seasonal, typically with mating in spring, a gestation period of about 180 days, and birthing a litter of one to four cubs in late spring or early summer.

In Scandinavia, the brown bear (*Ursus arctos*) is the only species found in the wild, with populations recovering in Norway, Sweden, and Finland after centuries of hunting pressure. Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection, conflict mitigation with livestock, and monitoring of genetic diversity. Cultural references abound: bears appear in folklore, mythology, and modern media as symbols of strength, resilience, and wilderness. International agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the IUCN Red List provide monitoring frameworks for bear populations worldwide.