Food caching is a common behavior for many mammals, but less is known about the prevalence and importance of food caching for some species. Here we report the first documented caching events by Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus, n = 5) in Japan and 3 additional caching events by American black bears (U. americanus) in California, USA. We also performed a systematic literature review on caching by bears as a reference point for future investigations. Caching was most frequently reported for brown bears (U. arctos), and most caching by bears occurred with large prey. Caching is most likely used to protect large carcasses from spoiling or detection by scavengers, allowing bears to consume more of the carcass. The lack of published studies on caching by bears may be due to the behavior being infrequently used and difficult to record. We encourage an increase, but also consistency, in future reporting, including specific descriptions of caching behavior.
- Volume 32
- Issue 10
- Pages 1-8
- Publication Date 29 July 2021
- DOI 10.2192/ursus-d-20-00008.1
- File Size 987.72 KB
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