Life Sciences Commons^™

Reproductive Ecology Of Black Bears In Maine: Maternal Effect, Philopatry, And Primiparity, Alyssa A. Vitale

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The American black bear (Ursus americanus) relies upon dens in order to successfully reproduce and protect their offspring. Black bears utilize a variety of den types, each providing a different degree of protection. Black bears also exhibit an extended maternal care period in which offspring stay with their mother for 18 months. Maine’s black bear population is one of the largest in the U.S. (>30,000 bears) and since 1975, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has conducted research and monitoring to manage the population. This unique dataset allowed for examination of several generations of multiple …