“Bears when first born are shapeless masses of white flesh a little larger than mice, their claws alone being prominent. The mother then licks them gradually into proper shape.”

— Pliny the Elder , book Natural History

Book VIII, sec. 126.
Naturalis Historia

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Pliny the Elder 31

Roman military commander and writer 23–79

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“Bears when first born are shapeless masses of white flesh a little larger than mice, their claws alone being prominent. The mother then licks them gradually into proper shape.”

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Pliny the Elder 31

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