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</i><i> </i><i>americanus...

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Main Authors: Lynn L. Rogers, Linda McColley, Janet Dalton, Jim Stroner, Douglas Hajicek, Adam Partin, Gordon M. Burghardt
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-07-01
Series:Animals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/7/1123
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spelling doaj-252ee83f56934dc9a133c59acfdc1d2d2020-11-25T02:14:16ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152020-07-01101123112310.3390/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</i><i> </i><i>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 bearUrsus americanushibernationdenning behaviormaternal behaviorbehavioral ontogeny
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Lynn L. Rogers
Linda McColley
Janet Dalton
Jim Stroner
Douglas Hajicek
Adam Partin
Gordon M. Burghardt
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
Ursus americanus
hibernation
denning behavior
maternal behavior
behavioral ontogeny
author_facet Lynn L. Rogers
Linda McColley
Janet Dalton
Jim Stroner
Douglas Hajicek
Adam Partin
Gordon M. Burghardt
author_sort Lynn L. Rogers
title 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_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_sort behavior in free-living american black bear dens: parturition, maternal care, and cub behavior
publisher MDPI AG
series Animals
issn 2076-2615
publishDate 2020-07-01
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</i><i> </i><i>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.
topic American black bear
Ursus americanus
hibernation
denning behavior
maternal behavior
behavioral ontogeny
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/7/1123
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