Bear hollows

Contrary to conventional wisdom, cave bears did not truly hibernate but instead spent the harshest winter months in a state of semi-lethargy. Regularly resting in the same spots, by preference on surfaces not exposed to air or water circulation, they gradually created "nests", usually called "bear hollows". Around 300 of these have been identified within the cave, with diameters from 80 cm to almost 1.5 m, and generally relatively shallow (30 to 50 cm). These hollows are visible in the first chambers and right into the depths of the cave.