![]() Trees and crops also may suffer bear damage. In Pennsylvania, black bears may scavenge for food in dumpsters located at roadside rest areas, restaurants, and campgrounds, and in residential garbage cans.Īctual economic damage caused by bears affects mainly beehives and corn, but bears are strong enough to tear open doors, rip holes in siding, break windows, and rip open tents to get food. Bears are attracted to human residences by bird feeders, garbage, and food left outside for domestic pets. Because of human movement into bear habitat and the bear's natural expansion of its range, bears and people are likely to come into contact with each other. Bears have adapted well to encroaching human development and can be found even in suburban areas. Bears are expanding into new areas, however, and can now be found in 50 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. Description of DamageĪreas in Pennsylvania that best support bears are the mountainous northcentral and northeastern counties. Bears are not true hibernators but survive food shortages and cold weather through a period of winter dormancy, during which they may awaken and leave their dens in search of food. However, it is not unusual to see bears during the day, and this should not be a reason for concern. Three or four cubs are not uncommon.īears are primarily nocturnal animals, feeding and exercising at night and remaining relatively inactive during the day. In Pennsylvania, female black bears often breed at 2.5 years of age and have an average of 2.9 cubs per year. Cubs are weaned by late summer, but they usually remain with the female through their first year. Newborns are altricial (helpless, nearly hairless, with eyes closed). Cubs are born in winter dens in late January and early February. After mating occurs, implantation of the fertilized egg is delayed, and the embryo does not develop in the female womb until the period of winter dormancy. Males often travel extensively in search of receptive females. Bears are polygamous-the males mate with a number of females. Bears also have shown a propensity for human garbage.īlack bears breed during the summer months. Most vertebrates are eaten only as carrion. This diet is supplemented by animal matter such as beetles, ants, and bees. ![]() Almost 75 percent of their diet consists of plant foods such as fruits, nuts, acorns, berries, seeds, and roots. An understory of blackberries and blueberries attracts bears cornfields and abandoned apple orchards also are popular feeding sites.īlack bears are omnivorous and forage on a wide variety of plants and animals. Oak, hickory, black cherry, and beech trees provide the favorite mast of the black bear. In Pennsylvania, bear habitat typically consists of mixed hardwood forests. For dens, bears use cavities in trees, holes in the ground, or simply nests of leaves and branches. Prime bear habitat is characterized by contiguous forests that contain bogs, swamps, mountains, a well-established forest understory, and abundant mast (nuts and berries). General Biologyīlack bears are very adaptable and live quite well in areas populated by humans. Black bears are excellent tree climbers, and cubs learn to climb at a very young age. Occasionally, a male may weigh more than 600 pounds. Adult males weigh between 350 and 500 pounds, and females weigh between 150 and 250 pounds. Bears in the black color phase may have a small white patch on the chest. The black color phase is most prevalent in the east, and brown phases from cinnamon to blond are prevalent in the west. Their fur is generally uniform in color but not necessarily black. Black bears are the smallest and most common of the three bear species found in North America, and the only species found in Pennsylvania.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |