Lily backing into position Today we watched as Lily backed into the back left side of the den and stood very still—with her front feet still in the den bed with the cubs. We believe she was urinating. This is the third time we’ve seen her do this odd behavior and each time she backed into the same place.
Lily urinating?A coincidence perhaps, or she may be deliberately creating a ‘latrine’ to keep the remainder of the den clean. We’ll be watching for any similar behavior.
Lily's female cub 'upside up'Lily’s female cub gave us an unmistakable belly-shot today. There’s absolutely no doubt Lily has one of each—male and female. We were wondering why it took us so long to confirm the sexes of these cubs. Lily’s first cub (Hope) was only 12 days old when we determined she was female. 
Lily's female cub 'upside over'But this year we never saw the cubs until their fur had grown and the male/female bits take on a different appearance. However, at long last we are certain.
So much good action in Lily’s den today that there are two videos—Part I at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WafkCu6rNmc and Part II at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aqd4l6sMwhk.
Big yawn from Big TedToday, Ted surprised us by eating straw—not just chewing it, actually chewing and swallowing. Not sure why. Boredom perhaps? See what you think at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27zJEQHz-l0.
Jim Stroner's ScienceFriday contest entry - February 16, 2013Most of you are familiar with Jim Stroner’s amazing photography which has been featured in the ‘Shadow’s Clan’ calendars and in these updates. Jim entered a photo of Lily at her den in ScienceFriday’s 2013 Winter Nature Photo Contest. The contest winner will be announced on air Friday March 8 and will be interviewed for a story on the ScienceFriday.com website. Each person can vote once a day. You can vote for Jim’s photo at http://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/311854/voteable_entries/65495698.
—Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield, Biologists, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
All photos taken today unless otherwise noted.