Bears are one of the biggest mammals around, so where do they go during the winter?

On Saturday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. those interested can find out during the next Audubon Community Nature Center Little Explorers, aimed at children between the ages of 3 and 8 and their parents, to investigate the black bears often found in the Chautauqua and Warren county area.

What makes the black bear different from other kinds of bears and what do all bears have in common? The shy, playful animals have a varied diet and adaptations to help them survive. Join Audubon to learn more about their diets, behaviors, and adaptations throughout the seasons.

After an indoor lesson, Little Explorers and their adults will head outside to look for evidence of bears at Audubon. Then it is time to think like a black bear and find a winter snack a bear would want to eat.

A snack is provided after the hike and a craft is offered if there is time.

Little Explorers takes place regardless of the weather, so dress accordingly. The fee is $12 for adults, $9 for children ages 3-8 and Nature Center members. Enrollment is limited to 15 children, 30 participants total.

To make a paid reservations required by Thursday call 716-569-2345 during business hours or go to AudubonCNC.org and click through Programs and Events.

Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren. Visit the nearly 600-acre nature preserve, check in on the live birds of prey, and hike the more than five miles of trails dawn until dusk daily for free.

The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, a collection of live animals including the Hellbender exhibit, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Visitors are welcome Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 1 to 4:30 p.m. Nature Center members and SNAP/EBT cardholders have free building admission daily. Building admission is also free every Sunday for non-Nature Center members.

To learn more about Audubon and its programs, call 716-569-2345, find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook, or visit AudubonCNC.org.