Denning Behavior of Black Bears in Boreal Forest of Alberta

Tietje, William D.; Ruff, Robert L.

doi:10.2307/3808314

Cited by 90 publications

(81 citation statements)

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“…Several studies have shown that bears may abandon their dens if disturbed by humans (Lindey and Meslow 1976;Hamilton and Marchinton 1980;LeCount 1983;Goodrich and Berger 1994). Den abandonment can have consequences to bears by increasing winter fat loss (Tietje and Ruff 1980) which could influence cub production and survival (Mack 1989). Rogers (1976) showed that if fat reserves drop too low, embryo implantation and fetal development may be halted.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some researchers suggested that the fall food supply has the most important influence on den entrance (Tietje and Ruff 1980;Beecham et al 1983;O'Pezio et al 1983), and others suggested the importance of weather (Lindzey and Meslow 1976). It may be a combination of factors that vary by geographic location which ultimately determine Black Bear denning periods.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Black Bears may be at risk of being killed by predators if dens do not provide adequate protection (Paquet and Carbyn 1986;Ross et al 1988;Smith and Follman 1993;Boyd and Heger 2000). Human disturbance has been documented to cause den abandonment, which can lead to increased winter weight loss (Tietje and Ruff 1980;Goodrich and Berger 1994). Because of these factors, Black Bears likely select dens that provide energetic efficiency and are relatively safe from predation, human or other disturbances, and weather (Oli et al 1997).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Black Bear, <em>Ursus americanus</em>, Denning Chronology and Den Site Selection in the Northeastern Cascades of Washington

Gaines

2003

Can Field Nat

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I studied Black Bear denning chronology and den site selection during 1995-1998 in the northeastern Cascade Mountains of Washington. Male Black Bears entered dens between 22 October and 19 November and emerged between 4 April and 7 May. Females entered dens somewhat sooner, between 15 October and 19 November, and emerged later than males, 4 April and 22 May. These den entry and emergence dates were similar to those reported at similar lattitudes in northwestern Montana. Roads had an important influence on den site selection by Black Bears in this study area. Bears selected dens in areas with no open roads >200 ha in size, >500 m from the nearest open road, and 1500-2000 m in elevation. The combination of information on denning chronology and site characterstics should allow managers to coordinate human activities to reduce the potential for disturbance to denning Black Bears.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Black Bear, <em>Ursus americanus</em>, Denning Chronology and Den Site Selection in the Northeastern Cascades of Washington

Gaines

2003

Can Field Nat

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“…Owing to the small size of the den chamber, heat produced by the occupant(s) will also raise the T d to some extent, so the T d of the aardwolf chamber may therefore rise above the lower critical temperature of the TNZ. The three dens examined in Anderson's (1994) and Richardson's (1985) studies were not lined with insulative materials (such as grass, litter or fur) as has been found in the dens of other animals, and in particular hibernating mammals, such as the black bear Ursus americanus (Tietje & Ruff, 1980). Anderson (1994) measured the body temperatures (T b ) of six aardwolves during summer and winter using temperature-sensitive radio transmitters.…”

Section: Activity Patterns and Denningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aardwolf adaptations: a review

Anderson¹

2004

Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa

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The aardwolf Proteles cristatus has developed a number of anatomical and morphological adaptations for feeding on its termite prey. These adaptations preclude the aardwolf from feeding on other, larger (vertebrate) prey, especially during the winter months, when the T a drops below 9 º C and when Trinervitermes termites are largely unavailable. Winter is therefore a stressful period for aardwolves, as evidenced by increased juvenile mortality, a 20% decline in body mass and depletion of subcutaneous fat reserves. The aardwolf uses both physiological and behavioural means to overcome this period of food stress. An increased period is spent underground in the thermally-stable environment of the den. Den sharing is more common in the winter months and social thermoregulation may result in energy savings. While inactive the aardwolf lowers its T b (to an average of 34.1+1.6 º C during the middle of the inactive period during winter) and in some individuals this results in energy savings of up to 18%. Seasonal changes in pelage density and thermal conductance allow for more passive heat transfer during summer and improved heat retention during winter. Laboratory and field measurements of metabolic rate showed that the aardwolf has a low BMR and a low FMR (between 40 and 78% of that predicted by allometric equations). The aardwolf's metabolic rate is 11% lower during the winter months, resulting in reduced energy requirements during the period of limited food availability. Evaporative water loss rates are low, further reduced during the winter months, adaptations to survive in a desert environment and on a seasonally-unavailable food source. The aardwolf is therefore well adapted to feed on a diet of Trinervitermes termites, a food niche that has been largely unexploited by other animals, and it uses various ecological, behavioural and physiological adaptations to cope with this seasonally unavailable food source.

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“…Uncut forest is used and most dens are excavated in the ground or under the roots of fallen trees (Tietje and Ruff 1980). Large-diameter snags or downed logs also may be used (Pelton 1982, Tietje andRuff 1980).…”

Section: Ecologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Forest carnivore conservation and management in the interior Columbia basin: issues and environmental correlates.

Witmer¹,

Martin²,

Sayler³

1998

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Forest carnivores in the Pacific Northwest include 11 medium to large-sized mammalian species of canids, felids, mustelids, and ursids. These carnivores have widely differing status in the region, with some harvested in regulated furbearer seasons, some taken for depredations, and some protected because of rarity. Most large carnivores have declined in numbers or range from human encroachment, loss or modification of forest habitat, accidental deaths (e.g., mortality from vehicles), illegal kills, and our inability to adequately monitor and protect populations. Efforts to reverse these trends include new approaches to reduce conflicts with humans, research to better define habitat needs, formation of expert carnivore working groups, and use of Geographic Information System models to predict specific impacts of habitat modifications. Long-term preservation of large carnivores in the region is problematic unless we reduce forest fragmentation and conflicts with humans and improve our ability to quantitatively integrate population dynamics with landscape level habitat requirements.

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Denning Behavior of Black Bears in Boreal Forest of Alberta

Cited by 90 publications

References 0 publications

Black Bear, <em>Ursus americanus</em>, Denning Chronology and Den Site Selection in the Northeastern Cascades of Washington

Black Bear, <em>Ursus americanus</em>, Denning Chronology and Den Site Selection in the Northeastern Cascades of Washington

Aardwolf adaptations: a review

Forest carnivore conservation and management in the interior Columbia basin: issues and environmental correlates.

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