Now this is not the case with most other animals--such as foxes and wolves--which are often killed with a whole litter of young, many of their species being thus destroyed at once.
The she-bear brings forth in winter in the deep recesses of some cave, where she has lain hid during the whole period of her gestation; and on this account while with young, she rarely, if ever, falls a victim to the hunters.

When the cubs are large enough to go abroad, she takes them out, treating them with as much tenderness as a mother would her children.

She will lay down her life for them at any time, defending them with great courage when attacked.

It has been said that, like the alligator-mother, she is sometimes called upon to protect them from their savage fathers, who would devour them if they could.

This I do not believe.
The black bears are omnivorous.