Characteristics of Adult Female Black Bear Daybeds in Northern Arizona

January 1, 1987

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Ninety-four black bear (Ursus americanus) bedding sites were located between May 1982 and August 1984. Locations were identified by radiotracking 14 adult females. Sampling from sites of females with and without cubs showed both bedding and feeding activity at 39% of the sites. Multiple daybeds were found at 28% of the sites and all sites were within 0.8 km of water. Bedding sites occurred on canyon walls 81% of the time, the slopes of which averaged 39%. Daybeds were on the uphill side of a tree 74% of the time. Bed trees averaged 73 cm dbh. Chewing and scratching of daybed trees was recorded at 38% of the sites, and scats were found at 69% of the sites. Removal of vegetative cover and large trees in black bear bedding habitat could reduce overall habitat quality.

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