Grizzly Bear Blissfully Catches Snowflakes in His Mouth While Lounging During Playful Moment

Emmett the grizzly bear is enjoying his snow day.

An Instagram Reel of the 19-year-old bear shared on Nov. 6 by the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs features him blissfully lounging in the snow while catching snowflakes in his mouth. “10/10 snowflake catching technique, Emmett. Very comfy. Very efficient,” the caption read.

In the clip, Emmett leans his head back and sticks his tongue out to gently lap up falling snowflakes. Although snow covers his thick fur, he is relaxed as he embraces the winter weather.

After the video of the bear lying around in the snow went viral, fans were curious about whether Emmett hibernates during the winter at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“In winter, grizzlies tend to slow down. Recent scientific studies reveal that grizzlies in the wild don’t hibernate, contrary to popular belief,” the zoo explained in an Instagram comment. Toads, squirrels, marmots, and other small animals hibernate to sleep through the winter when temperatures plummet and food resources are limited.

Although many animals hunker down for months during hibernation, some larger animals like grizzly bears, raccoons, and skunks can “gain enough weight to carry them through the cooler season without hibernation,” the zoo said.

“Bears and other larger animals go into torpor in the winter, which is a hormonal, physiological, and behavioral change triggered by the changing seasons,” the zoo added. “In torpor, body systems slow down, and animals may sleep more, but they still wake up.”

The grizzlies at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo eat copious amounts of food during the summer and the fall. When the weather cools down, the bears eat less and have less energy but remain active.

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is home to two grizzlies: Emmett and his longtime roommate Digger. They came to the zoo in 2007 when they were roughly two to three years old.

They were originally labeled as “nuisance bears” after being removed from the wild due to their concerning interactions with humans. Nuisance bears are often euthanized if no other living option can be found for them.

Luckily, Emmett and Digger found a home at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, where they help educate visitors about grizzly bears in the wild.

Despite Emmett’s serene state while catching snowflakes, the grizzly is very active. In October, the zoo shared an Instagram video of him bobbing for apples. The zoo also hosted a housewarming party for Emmett and Digger in August and celebrated the park’s renovated grizzly bear exhibit.