The Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) is a generalist omnivore consuming a wide range of food items, including ants (family Formicidae) and other social insects during summer. The distribution of ant resources is thought to influence habitat selection by Asiatic black bear. We investigated the distribution of ant resources during summer in bear habitat in Shirakawa Village, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, which is approximately 96% forested. Our aims were to (1) identify general trends in the distribution of ant resources used by bears, (2) determine which ant species contribute to the overall availability of ant resources, (3) investigate the relationships between the availability of ant resources used by bears and environmental factors, and (4) discuss the relationship between the distribution of ant resources and summer habitat selection by bears based on existing research. Our findings suggest that environments with high percentage of loose stone coverage are likely to have high availability of ants used by Asiatic black bear. In particular, we observed a positive relation between the availability of Camponotus ants and canopy openness. Similarly, the availability of Lasius and Myrmica ants were positively related to loose stone coverage. Habitats characterized by high percentage of canopy openness or high loose stone coverage were mostly grassland, forest edge, and riparian areas, and likely to have high availability of ants. This trend is consistent with the distribution of other foods eaten by Asiatic black bears during summer. We suggest, therefore, that grassland, forest edges, and riparian areas are environments with abundant resources for ants because these environments provide high availability of resources for both ants and other bear foods in summer.
- Volume 37
- Issue 2
- Pages 1-11
- Publication Date 30 January 2026
- DOI 10.2192/URSUS-D-25-00001
- File Size 1.21 MB
- Download