we looked at it its definitely shorter there but it also seems to be a slight different shade of color too. but you would know you're the expert.
The reason the hair is shorter is because the Bear is starting to shed it's Under Wool. It is rubbing on things to get it off because it itches. It has rubbed it's Guard Hairs off in that area. It also looks like it has started to rub it's back legs to.
Bears have 2 different types of hair: (this is looking at the Bear in the Photo)
The first type is refered to as the
Guard Hair. This is the longer hair that on Black Bears is "Black". The Bear keeps this hair all year. Typically this is the hair you will see when you kill a Bear in August.
The second type of hair is often refered to as the
"Under Coat" or
"Under Wool". This is the hair that the Bear grows in for the winter. It is shorter and thicker. On Black Bears (not color phase) it is typically a brown, dark brown, or black. It really depends on the Bear.
Every Bear is different and some will start to grow the Under Wool in early and some will start later. It really depends.
