Black bear abundance, habitat use, and food habits in the Sierra San Luis, Sonora, Mexico

Abstract

We studied black bears to determine habitat use, food habits, and abundance between April 2002 and November 2003 in the Sierra San Luis, Sonora. We utilized transects to determine spoor presence, camera traps for abundance, and scat analysis. During 2002, bears fed principally on plant material, and for 2003 on animal matter, namely livestock. Habitat use differed between years and seasons. In general terms, we recorded black bears more frequently during 2002 than 2003, attributing this change to a lack of resources, fruits, and water in our study area.

Parent Publication

• Connecting mountain islands and desert seas: Biodiversity and management of the Madrean Archipelago II

Citation

Corona, Rodrigo Sierra; Vazquez, Ivan A. Sayago; Hurtado, M. del Carmen Silva; Lopez Gonzalez, Carlos A. 2005. Black bear abundance, habitat use, and food habits in the Sierra San Luis, Sonora, Mexico. In: Gottfried, Gerald J.; Gebow, Brooke S.; Eskew, Lane G.; Edminster, Carleton B., comps. Connecting mountain islands and desert seas: biodiversity and management of the Madrean Archipelago II. Proc. RMRS-P-36. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 444-448