Reproductive Rates of Brown Bears in the Cantabrian Mountains, Spain

January 1, 1997

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We studied brown bear (Ursus arctos) reproductive rates by monitoring females with cubs in the 2 unconnected populations in the Cantabrian Mountains in northwest Spain. Annual average number of females with cubs, number of cubs, and litter size were 5.00, 11.20, and 2.24 respectively, for the western population (1986-90), and 1.67, 2.67, and 1.67, respectively, for the eastern population (1988-1990, except mean litter size, 1985-90). The significantly larger litter size for the western population (P < 0.05) may be related to greater food availability. At least 2 of the 6 females breeding in 1989 bred again in 1991 after an especially good hard-mast crop in 1989 and 1990.

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