Food Preference Testing of Captive Black Bears

Bacon, Ellis S.; Burghardt, Gordon M.

doi:10.2307/3872525

“…To determine the effect of fruit size and density on bite rate, bite size, and intake rate, we selected four types of ''berries'' and two types of presentation that encompassed much of the range of fruit sizes and densities found in natural habitats (0.05 to 8.37 g fresh mass/berry and 35 to 1700 berries/m 2 (Hatler 1967, Noyce and Coy 1990, Powell and Seaman 1990). We chose huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum and V. globulare) as the smallest berry size (mean ϭ 0.40 g/berry, fresh mass) because it is highly preferred by bears (Martinka 1976, Bacon and Burghardt 1983, Mace and Jonkel 1986, locally abundant, and singly spaced. Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) was used as a second berry type because the berries are larger (0.6 g/berry, fresh mass), preferred by bears (Martinka 1976, Eagle and Pelton 1983, Mace and Jonkel 1986, and often occur in clusters of 3-5 berries.…”

Section: Foraging Trialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Constraints on Frugivory by Bears

Welch¹,

Keay²,

Kendall³

et al. 1997

Ecology

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Abstract. Bears consuming wild fruits for fall energy accumulation are constrained by several factors, including intake rate, the physiological capacity of the gastrointestinal tract, and the metabolic efficiency of gain in body mass. We measured these relationships through foraging and feeding trials using captive and wild black bears (Ursus americanus) and grizzly bears (Ursus arctos). Four fruit types covering a range of sizes and clustering were offered to captive bears to determine the effect of density, size, and presentation on intake rate. Intake rate (in grams per minute) and bite rates (in bites per minute) increased curvilinearly with increasing fruit density in singly spaced fruits. Maximum intakes ranged from 30 g/min for 0.5-g berries to >200 g/min for 4.2-g fruits. The highest bite rates were obtained during the initial encounter with each patch as bears consumed all visually apparent fruits on the surface. Bite rates quickly dropped by 15-20% as foraging continued within the patch. Maximum bite rates were not depressed until initial fruit density fell to <50 berries/M3. Maximum daily fresh fruit intake for the captive bears averaged 34 ? 6% (mean ? 1 SD) of body mass. The dry-matter digestibility of wild fruits, particularly preferred species, was as high as 72%. While large captive bears could gain body mass very rapidly when given fruit ad libitum, foraging efficiencies increasingly constrained growth rates of wild bears >100 kg. We concluded that large bears, such as grizzlies, must depend on plants that permit large bite sizes or high bite rates through fruit clustering and bush configuration that reduce leaf-to-fruit ratios.

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“…Blueberries and apples were used because they are highly preferred (Bacon andBurghardt 1983, Servheen 1983) but have a low energy density that forces larger intakes in order to fulfill energy requirements. The maximum digestive capacity for bears consuming fruit was measured by giving them ad libitum access to domestic apples or blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) during the fall hyperphagia period.…”

Section: Digestive Capacity and Efficiencymentioning

confidence: 99%

Constraints on Frugivory by Bears

Welch¹,

Keay²,

Kendall

³

et al. 1997

Ecology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Bears consuming wild fruits for fall energy accumulation are constrained by several factors, including intake rate, the physiological capacity of the gastrointestinal tract, and the metabolic efficiency of gain in body mass. We measured these relationships through foraging and feeding trials using captive and wild black bears (Ursus americanus) and grizzly bears (Ursus arctos). Four fruit types covering a range of sizes and clustering were offered to captive bears to determine the effect of density, size, and presentation on intake rate. Intake rate (in grams per minute) and bite rates (in bites per minute) increased curvilinearly with increasing fruit density in singly spaced fruits. Maximum intakes ranged from 30 g/min for 0.5-g berries to >200 g/min for 4.2-g fruits. The highest bite rates were obtained during the initial encounter with each patch as bears consumed all visually apparent fruits on the surface. Bite rates quickly dropped by 15-20% as foraging continued within the patch. Maximum bite rates were not depressed until initial fruit density fell to <50 berries/M3. Maximum daily fresh fruit intake for the captive bears averaged 34 ? 6% (mean ? 1 SD) of body mass. The dry-matter digestibility of wild fruits, particularly preferred species, was as high as 72%. While large captive bears could gain body mass very rapidly when given fruit ad libitum, foraging efficiencies increasingly constrained growth rates of wild bears >100 kg. We concluded that large bears, such as grizzlies, must depend on plants that permit large bite sizes or high bite rates through fruit clustering and bush configuration that reduce leaf-to-fruit ratios.

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“…For example, there is relatively little known about bear cognition. This has begun to change in recent years as more empirical studies have been carried out with giant pandas [2,3,4,5,6] and black bears [7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Computerized testing has a long history in laboratory settings, and recent work has begun to expand this to a zoo setting and allow for direct comparisons to laboratory findings [19]. Vonk and colleagues have greatly expanded the use of computerized testing with bears [7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14]. Here, this is expanded to a previously untested species—the sun bear.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Computerized Testing on Sun Bear Behavior and Enrichment Preferences

Perdue

¹

2016

Behavioral Sciences

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The field of comparative cognition investigates species’ differences and similarities in cognitive abilities, and sheds light on the evolutionary origins of such capacities. Cognitive testing has been carried out in a variety of species; however, there are some taxa that are underrepresented in this field. The current work follows on a recent increase in cognitive research in the order Carnivora with a specific focus on sun bears. Sun bears are the smallest existing bear species and live in tropical regions of Southeast Asia. They have an omnivorous diet and use their tongues to forage for insects and sap. Little is known about sun bear cognition, although much like other bear species, anecdotes suggest a high level of intelligence. The current work explored training sun bears to use a touchscreen computer. This effort allows for insight into cognitive abilities as well as providing a complex source of enrichment for the bears. The bears use their tongues to respond to a touchscreen computer, and the effects on stereotypic behaviors on exhibit and preference for this over other forms of enrichment were examined. Overall, bears performed well on the task and showed a preference for the computer.

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Food Preference Testing of Captive Black Bears

Cited by 11 publications

References 10 publications

Constraints on Frugivory by Bears

Constraints on Frugivory by Bears

Constraints on Frugivory by Bears

The Effect of Computerized Testing on Sun Bear Behavior and Enrichment Preferences

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