Hi Ms Granberry and class-

Great questions about fat and metabolism.
One of the big things this team is looking at is the connection between
body condition (fat reserves) and metabolism. So far, the data is
showing that there is a connection - their metabolism seems to lower as
their fat is used up. They are still analyzing the data and figuring
out what it all means - but these are some of the initial ideas.

The bears store their fat in three main areas - their rump, the back of
their neck and their stomachs. Sometimes the bears store so much fat
around their neck that it makes it difficult to use the tracking
collars, which is why they rarely put collars on full size adult males.

Hope that helps and keep the great questions coming!

Ms Galvan