In some previous posts, the size of litters vs. density was discussed. It was pretty much proven that the two are not related, or at best distantly. I asked my cousin, who is "the bear man" in Wis. and here are his thoughts regarding litter size in bears- seems to "bear" out the same conclusion.
Litter size is related to: age of sow and how good the previous fall was.
When there are plenty of acorns and fall foods available and they can put on
the fat,they'll generally have average litters (about 3). Their litter size
though can be anywhere from 1 to 6.
Generally sows don't breed until they're 3 1/2 ,but I'm finding them breeding at 2 1/2. These young moms usually have only one or two cubs and the survival on them is low. Seems like when they leave the den , they
fall to predation. Mom doesn't seem to know what to do and she gets intimidated
real easy by the boar,which kills the cubs.
Density can have an impact on litter size, but we haven't seen that in either Wisc. or Minn.
Mike Gappa
Wildlife Biologist
West Central Region- Eau Claire
(715) 839-3774
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Your American Heritage- Fur Trapping, Hunting and Fishing
Litter size is related to: age of sow and how good the previous fall was.
When there are plenty of acorns and fall foods available and they can put on
the fat,they'll generally have average litters (about 3). Their litter size
though can be anywhere from 1 to 6.
Generally sows don't breed until they're 3 1/2 ,but I'm finding them breeding at 2 1/2. These young moms usually have only one or two cubs and the survival on them is low. Seems like when they leave the den , they
fall to predation. Mom doesn't seem to know what to do and she gets intimidated
real easy by the boar,which kills the cubs.
Density can have an impact on litter size, but we haven't seen that in either Wisc. or Minn.
Mike Gappa
Wildlife Biologist
West Central Region- Eau Claire
(715) 839-3774
------------------
Your American Heritage- Fur Trapping, Hunting and Fishing