In a sample of 55 dens of bears (Selenarctos thibetanus ussuricus and Ursus arctos lasiotus) in the South Xiaoxinganling Mountains, we found 3 types: tree dens (n = 23, 41.8%), ground dens (n = 30, 54.5%), and open-ground 'nest' dens (n = 2, 3.6%). Most dens are lined with different bedding materials. Half of the tree den entrances face up, the rest mostly face east, southeast, and northwest. Most ground den entrances face northeast. The majority of dens are in mixed conifer-broadleaf forest on middle slopes that face east. Den trees generally are Populus ussuriensis, Pinus koraiensis, and Tilia spp. Average slope is 17.8 degrees for tree dens, 24.2 degrees for ground dens, and 28.5 degrees for open-ground 'nest' dens. Human activity affects the distribution of dens (except for tree dens). Elevations range from 300 to 500 m for the majority of tree dens, from 400 to 700 m for most ground dens. The number of dens decreases as elevation increases. Dense understory plants are very important for ground dens and open-ground 'nest' dens.
- Volume 9
- Issue
- Pages 357-362
- Publication Date 1 January 1994
- DOI 10.2307/3872721
- File Size 244.73 KB
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