When the winter arrives, the Brown Bear of the Pyrenees hides in its lair to hibernate during the coldest months of the year. This hibernation period starts between November and December, and ends between February and April, depending on weather conditions.

The hibernation of the bears consists of a state of dormancy or winter lethargy that causes their heart rate to fall from 40 or 50 to about 10 beats per minute; The breathing rate drops by half, and body temperature is reduced from 98-102°F to 87-95°F). In addition, unlike humans, bears do not lose bone mass even when they remain immobile for about five months. The bear stops eating and maintains the functional constants thanks to the energy provided by the fat reserves accumulated during the fall, during that time the bears increase their food intake and can double their body weight.

Bears are aware of their vulnerability during hibernation, so they dig their den or look for natural caves in the steepest and most mountainous places. The dens are hidden cavities and difficult to access where the females prepare a bed of grasses and twigs of bushes to be able to give birth to their young during that period of winter rest.

I created this project, Cardboard Bear, few months ago and I wanted to share it … So, let's go!

MATERIALS

• Tracing paper
• Pencil
• Recycled cardboard (the one of the boxes of cereals goes well. It will serve to create a "mold")
• Recycled cardboard (with a minimum thickness of 2mm)
• Scissors or cutter
• Brush (optional)
• Paintings (optional)

STEP BY STEP

1. Print the templates (download templates here) and trace each piece on the cardboard of the cereals box using a tracing paper. Cut out the pieces and number each one according to the numbering indicated by the image (each piece has a number, so you will not have problems knowing which piece should fit in each slot). These pieces will serve you as a "mold" to create as many cardboard bears as you want. It will not necessary to trace the templates every time you want to create one.
2. Once we have our "mold" templates, use them to draw the pieces on a cardboard that you like. In this case the templates are designed to create a bear with a cardboard of 2mm of thickness for this reason the slots of each piece measure 2mm.
3. Cut the pieces and place them on the table following the numbering.
4. You can paint the pieces, on both sides, creating a unique and original design.
5. Once the pieces are painted, it's time to mount the bear figure in 3D. It's easy and funny! ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ