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Kingdom: Animalia
Black Bear |
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Description Species Range and Distribution Habitat Requirements and Feeding
Author: Jana Milliken Site created by: Rachael McCormick Site Maintained by: Dr. Mark Wallace
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Habitat requirements and feeding habits Black bears prefer forested areas, where they climb trees looking for acorns and grapes and use their strong forelimbs to demolish logs searching for insect larvae (Powell et. al. 1997). Ants supplement the black bears diet throughout the seasons (Clapp and Smith 1990). An additional supplement for bears that have access to it is garbage. A 1989 study showed that those bears that consumed trash in addition to a wild diet showed higher reproduction rates than those who did not (Rogers 1993). In addition, they enjoy intermittent open areas with meadows that provide other desirable foods (Domico 1988). Livestock depredation, apiary and orchard damage are minor problems that occur mainly in the northern and eastern areas of the black bears range (LeCount 1986). Black bears prey on wildlife, both healthy and ailing. In fact, many animals are killed by other predators, but blamed on bears because they are the last to feed off of them (LeCount 1986). Adaptability to various habitats is a distinct advantage for the black bear. They can grow slowly if necessary and have a low mortality rate coupled with low reproductive success when food is scarce. Food supply does not regulate bear populations in a density-dependent manner, but it may limit populations (Rogers 1993).
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