Dens are a critical component of black bear (Ursus americanus) habitat, yet scale-dependent den-site selection has received limited attention. Natural and anthropogenic factors (e.g., vegetation, roads) may also influence bear den-site selection. I quantified black bear denning chronology and den use and evaluated multi-scale den-site selection in Mississippi, USA during 2005–2011. Females entered dens earlier than males and emerged later; multiple den use by both sexes in a single winter was common. I recorded equal numbers of tree and ground dens, with ground dens at higher elevations surrounded by dense vegetation. Chronology and other denning characteristics of bears in Mississippi were similar to other black bear populations in the southeastern United States. Bears exhibited scale-dependent den-site selection selecting sites with greater percentage horizontal cover and farther from roads. Greater percentage horizontal cover may provide security and increase energetic efficiency. Denning farther from roads likely decreases risk of human disturbance.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:MSSTATE/oai:scholarsjunction.msstate.edu:td-4238 |
| Date | 11 August 2012 |
| Creators | Waller, Brittany Winchester |
| Publisher | Scholars Junction |
| Source Sets | Mississippi State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Theses and Dissertations |
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