For a guy who normally spends his time foraging for snacks, playing with enrichment toys or lounging on a picnic table, the American black bear at the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo had a change in activity with the change of seasons.

As the winter weather began to stick around, Boodah entered a lethargic-like state, similar to hibernation, called torpor.

Rachel Gulley, assistant curator for the zoo, said Boodah normally eats and plays less around this time of year and drinks water and sleeps more. By Dec. 21, or winter equinox, Boodah is often ready to start sleeping most of the day.

Bears are not considered true hibernators, like squirrels, bats and marmots, as their body temperature only drops 12 degrees from their regular body temperature — rather than falling close to freezing.

“A bear’s metabolism, respiration and heartbeat drop dramatically, but since their body temperature remains relatively the same, they are able to wake more easily in case of danger,” Gulley said. “These bears will often change their position in the den and may even wander out for brief periods before returning to sleep.”

Boodah follows a similar winter cycle to wild American black bears in temperate climates, which can range as much as November to early April.

Some bears see shorter periods of this semi-hibernation, such as those in subtropical Florida or pregnant bears, which will be in the den for about six weeks. Other bears may only camp out for a week or two.

Gulley said bears “den-up” due to genetics and a change in the amount of daylight.

While Boodah doesn’t start his routine in response to the cold weather specifically, other animals at the zoo, such as box turtles and gopher tortoises, enter the cold-blooded version of hibernation: brumation.

“With the temperatures dropping below 60 degrees, these individuals will bury beneath the soil, leaves or ponds of their exhibit,” Gulley said. “Their body functions also decrease immensely to conserve energy for the colder weather.”

Brumation is different from true hibernation, however, as these turtles can wake up on warmer days to eat, drink and move around before hunkering down for future colder days.

Boodah’s overall care is adapted to his activity levels, as the Gulf Coast Zoo regularly works to mimic natural behaviors animals would have in the wild. Keepers wait for him to give signals for what he needs in food and enrichment.

During summer months, Boodah spends his time foraging for food then sleeping during the warmest parts of the day. He receives two to three enrichment activities a day during this time, depending on his interest.

Gulley said Boodah shows the most activity during the fall when bears start to enter hyperphagia.

“This is the time of year where the bears start to put on enough fat for the winter denning season and can eat up to 20,000 calories every single day. So, Boodah is no exception,” she said. “His activity level will climb, and it is the keepers’ responsibility to match it. Keepers may be entering his enclosure to add new foraging enrichment and diet items up to five times a day to keep up.”

Currently, while Boodah’s activity has slowed down, his keepers are working to care for other animals and still checking in on Boodah regularly to make sure he has everything he needs.

They also work to design future enrichment activities to have something “new and exciting for him to wake up to in the spring.”

Boodah, who has been with the Gulf Coast Zoo since he was six weeks old, will be celebrating his 22nd birthday on Jan. 21.

While Boodah might not be active, the zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.