A Fox in the Bear Den... and the First Cub Sighting

In March of 2016, a bear sow was quietly raising her newborn cubs in a den in a heavily forested area. It was still very snowy, and the cubs hadn't set a paw outside the den yet. The cubs were likely spending all of their time attached to teats on their mom's abdomen. That's a warm spot!

Then, their snoozing was interrupted by a visitor.

It was a very curious red fox. The fox stared at the opening to the den as the sound of a bawling cub broadcast that there was a young animal in rocky crevice.

Then, believe it or not, the fox went far into the den, with only his tail still visible outside the den. It's not a big den. The fox must have been face to face with the mother bear.

The fox eventually retreated, without a bear cub in his jaws.

Things were peaceful at the den until a few weeks later when the cubs decided that they wanted to explore the world outside their den. Mom did not want them to leave the safety of the den.  Each time one made it past her, she grabbed the youngster in her jaws.

She dragged the escapee back into the den. Look at the tiny cub paw in the next photo.

On that day, I counted 45 unsuccessful escape attempts by the cubs. Finally, on the 46th attempt, a cub made it out to explore. That was the beginning of the fun for the cubs!

Here is the video!