Effect of hibernation and reproductive status on body mass and condition of coastal brown bears
Article Abstract:
In some populations of female brown bears, the costs of hibernation and reproduction may restrict reproductive effort and population productivity as reproductive success is positively connected with body mass and fat content. Research undertaken among adult female brown bears on the Kenai Peninsula, AK, has sought to identify changes in body mass and composition during the period of winter dormancy. Daily mass loss during hibernation was found to be similar to that detailed in previous studies of captive nonlactating and lactating brown bears of similar mass. It appears that the continued nursing of cubs aged between nine and 15 months during hibernation increases protein and/or energy requirements compared with lone bears.
Publication Name: The Journal of Wildlife Management
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0022-541X
Year: 2000
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Predicting body condition of bears via two field methods
Article Abstract:
An animal's body condition is an important indication of its nutritional status and is a valuable indicator for wildlife management strategies. However, estimates of the body composition of large mammals, such as bears, can be difficult and many conventional methods are inaccurate. A new study of the body fat content of brown and black bears examines the effectiveness and accuracy of isotopic water dilution and bioelectrical impedance (BIA) analysis. Water dilution is found to be more accurate than BIA, although estimates by BIA are more rapid.
Publication Name: The Journal of Wildlife Management
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0022-541X
Year: 1998
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Trophic relations of brown and black bears in several western North American ecosystems
Article Abstract:
Fecal analysis is one way of examining the diet of animals, and stable isotope analysis of bones and hair can also be used to compare diets between individuals and categories and between the past and present. A study of black and brown bears has found that there has been little change in the proportions of plants and meat eaten in the past and by modern bears. Male brown bears were more carinivrous than other groups, while black bears in Alaska were more likely to eat salmon.
Publication Name: The Journal of Wildlife Management
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0022-541X
Year: 1999
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- Abstracts: Evaluation of urinary indices of nutritional status for white-tailed deer: tests with winter browse diets. Energy intake relationships for white-tailed deer on winter browse diets
- Abstracts: Autumn foraging dynamics of woodland caribou in experimentally manipulated habitats, northeastern Washington, USA