(C) Gary Coulbourne [ Taken Near: 11-15-1997 ]

Although polar bears are more gregarious than other bears, they still generally shun the company of others of their race. The only time they usually spend with others is play fighting, mating, or the time they spend with their mothers. Early on, after about two and a half years, the mother bear drives her cubs away. This time is generally thought to be traumatic for the cubs, as they have to learn to live on their own. Frequently, siblings will stay together for a year or more. The animals in this photograph are most likely siblings in just such a situation.