Weights and hematology of wild black bears during hibernation
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Abstract
We compared weights and hematological profiles of adult (>3-yr-old) female black bears (Ursus americanus) during hibernation (after 8 January). We handled 28 bears one to four times (total of 47) over 4 yr of varying mast and berry production. Mean weight of lactating bears was greater (P < 0.0001) than that of non-lactating females. White blood cells (P < 0.05) and mean corpuscular volume (P = 0.005) also differed between lactating and non-lactating bears. Hemoglobin (P = 0.006) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (P = 0.02) varied among years; values were lowest during 1975, following decreased precipitation and the occurrence of a second year of mast and berry crop shortages in a three-year period. Significant (P < 0.05) interaction between reproductive status (lactating versus non-lactating) and study year for hemoglobin, red blood cells, and packed cell volume, and increased mean corpuscular volume, suggested a greater nutritional challenge for lactating females compared to non-lactating females during the 1975 denning season. Our data suggest that hematological characteristics of denning bears may be more sensitive than weights as indicators of annual changes in nutritional status; however, other influential factors, in addition to mast and berry crop production, remain to be examined.
Suggested Citation
DelGiudice, G.D., Rogers, L.L., Allen, A.W., and Seal, U., 1991, Weights and hematology of wild black bears during hibernation: Journal of Wildlife Diseases, v. 27, no. 4, p. 637-642, https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-27.4.637.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Weights and hematology of wild black bears during hibernation |
| Series title | Journal of Wildlife Diseases |
| DOI | 10.7589/0090-3558-27.4.637 |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Year Published | 1991 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Wildlife Disease Association |
| Description | 6 p. |
| First page | 637 |
| Last page | 642 |