Spring has sprung a rude shock on one United States resident, who didn't know five black bears had spent the winter sleeping under their home.
The unnamed person in Lake Tahoe in California had heard some "odd rumbling" and "snoring-like noises" but ignored it because it didn't make sense and the neighbours couldn't hear it.
But last week, the mother bear woke up.
"The people in the house could no longer deny there was probably a bear under the house," said non-profit organisation BEAR League, which was called to the home.
"We uninvited mama bear, not yet aware there were four more bears under the house.
"It was quite the scene to then watch the four yearling cubs emerge from the opening and join together on the other side of the fence to venture forth into 2022."
BEAR League said the bears were able to get under the house through an unsecured crawl space opening.
The organisation hopes the story will encourage people in the area to secure similar openings in their own homes.
Black bears are common in parts of California and are often attracted to areas where humans live as they search for food and shelter.
