Behavior in Free-Living American Black Bear Dens: Parturition, Maternal Care, and Cub Behavior
Denning behavior has long remained the least observed aspect of bear behavior. During 2010–2013, we used webcams, microphones, the internet, and 14,602 h of archived video to document the denning behaviors of two adult wild black bears (<i>Ursus americanus</i>) as they gave birth and car...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-07-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/7/1123 |
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| author | Lynn L. Rogers Linda McColley Janet Dalton Jim Stroner Douglas Hajicek Adam Partin Gordon M. Burghardt |
| author_facet | Lynn L. Rogers Linda McColley Janet Dalton Jim Stroner Douglas Hajicek Adam Partin Gordon M. Burghardt |
| author_sort | Lynn L. Rogers |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Denning behavior has long remained the least observed aspect of bear behavior. During 2010–2013, we used webcams, microphones, the internet, and 14,602 h of archived video to document the denning behaviors of two adult wild black bears (<i>Ursus americanus</i>) as they gave birth and cared for four litters through six winters in northeastern Minnesota. Observations included types of dens, labor, pre-parturient genital swelling, birthing positions, post-partum vocalizations, mothers removing amniotic tissues and warming newborn cubs in sub-freezing temperatures, frequency of nursing, cubs establishing nipple order, yearlings suckling, the ingestion of snow and icicles, the ingestion of foot pads, urination and defecation in latrine areas, toilet-licking, eye opening, reciprocal tongue-licking, play, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and possible dreaming, and reactions to wildlife intruders. The use of this new method for observing natural bear dens allowed the identification of many behaviors undescribed for any species of wild bear in dens. We also discuss the need for future studies and how the depth and duration of black bear hibernation varies with body condition and geographic region. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:44:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-252ee83f56934dc9a133c59acfdc1d2d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:44:17Z |
| publishDate | 2020-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-252ee83f56934dc9a133c59acfdc1d2d2023-11-20T05:34:12ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152020-07-01107112310.3390/ani10071123Behavior in Free-Living American Black Bear Dens: Parturition, Maternal Care, and Cub BehaviorLynn L. Rogers0Linda McColley1Janet Dalton2Jim Stroner3Douglas Hajicek4Adam Partin5Gordon M. Burghardt6Wildlife Research Institute, Ely, MN 55731, USAWildlife Research Institute, Ely, MN 55731, USAWildlife Research Institute, Ely, MN 55731, USAWildlife Research Institute, Ely, MN 55731, USAWhite Wolf Entertainment, Inc., Minneapolis, MN 55448, USADepartment of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USADepartment of Psychology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USADenning behavior has long remained the least observed aspect of bear behavior. During 2010–2013, we used webcams, microphones, the internet, and 14,602 h of archived video to document the denning behaviors of two adult wild black bears (<i>Ursus americanus</i>) as they gave birth and cared for four litters through six winters in northeastern Minnesota. Observations included types of dens, labor, pre-parturient genital swelling, birthing positions, post-partum vocalizations, mothers removing amniotic tissues and warming newborn cubs in sub-freezing temperatures, frequency of nursing, cubs establishing nipple order, yearlings suckling, the ingestion of snow and icicles, the ingestion of foot pads, urination and defecation in latrine areas, toilet-licking, eye opening, reciprocal tongue-licking, play, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and possible dreaming, and reactions to wildlife intruders. The use of this new method for observing natural bear dens allowed the identification of many behaviors undescribed for any species of wild bear in dens. We also discuss the need for future studies and how the depth and duration of black bear hibernation varies with body condition and geographic region.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/7/1123American black bear<i>Ursus americanus</i>hibernationdenning behaviormaternal behaviorbehavioral ontogeny |
| spellingShingle | Lynn L. Rogers Linda McColley Janet Dalton Jim Stroner Douglas Hajicek Adam Partin Gordon M. Burghardt Behavior in Free-Living American Black Bear Dens: Parturition, Maternal Care, and Cub Behavior Animals American black bear <i>Ursus americanus</i> hibernation denning behavior maternal behavior behavioral ontogeny |
| title | Behavior in Free-Living American Black Bear Dens: Parturition, Maternal Care, and Cub Behavior |
| title_full | Behavior in Free-Living American Black Bear Dens: Parturition, Maternal Care, and Cub Behavior |
| title_fullStr | Behavior in Free-Living American Black Bear Dens: Parturition, Maternal Care, and Cub Behavior |
| title_full_unstemmed | Behavior in Free-Living American Black Bear Dens: Parturition, Maternal Care, and Cub Behavior |
| title_short | Behavior in Free-Living American Black Bear Dens: Parturition, Maternal Care, and Cub Behavior |
| title_sort | behavior in free living american black bear dens parturition maternal care and cub behavior |
| topic | American black bear <i>Ursus americanus</i> hibernation denning behavior maternal behavior behavioral ontogeny |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/7/1123 |
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