The Demographic and Morphological Characteristics of Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains
Mclean PK. 1991. The Demographic and Morphological Characteristics of Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains. University of Tennessee
The study encompassed age, sex, body measurement, reproductive condition, and survival of the 1702 bears that were trapped in GRSM from 1972 to 1985. Among the conclusions were that food is the chief control of reproduction, and that panhandler bears grew more quickly and were heavier, while wild bears grew slower but lived longer. Factors threatening the species are poor hard mast years, poaching, roads, resort development, and the threat of defoliation of the oaks by the gypsy moth. Neck and chest circumferences and length were found to be good predictors of body weight. The age of the bear population in GRSM suggests that its exploitation is slight to moderate.
- Type
- Academic
- Authors
- Mclean, Peter
- Date of Issue
- 1991-05
- Publisher
- University of Tennessee
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, Black Bear (Ursus americanus), Dissertation, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, GRSM, Health, Physiology, reproductive status, SER, Southeast Region, Threats, Trapping