Abstract
Abstract Proper den sites are crucial to the reproduction of female black bears (Ursus americanus). We monitored 31 bears for 39 bear winters in the Southern Appalachians with 95% of the bears confirmed to have denned. Bears denned in trees (41%), rock cavities (32%), excavations (14%), snags (8%), and ground nests (5%). Chestnut oak (Quercus prinus; n = 9), red oak (Q. rubra; n = 8), and tulip-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera; n = 1) were used as tree dens. Habitat characteristics did not differ between ground dens and tree dens; however, older bears used ground dens more frequently than tree dens (Z = −2.484, P = 0.013). We documented one instance of den reuse. Our results provide managers with more accurate information about black bear dens.
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