Variation in the Asiatic Black Bear Ursus thibetanus Diet: A Review

This study reviewed worldwide spatial patterns in the food habits of Asiatic black bears (ABB) in relation to geographical (altitude, latitude, and longitude) and environmental (climate type, rainfall, temperature, and vegetation type) variables. Data on the ABB diet were collected from 29 cases based on fecal analysis. Three seasonal data were separately analyzed using principal component analysis and linear regression models. During spring, green vegetation and hard mast were mainly characterized by high loadings; latitude had a significant relationship. During summer, green vegetation, soft mast, and invertebrates were mainly characterized by high loadings; altitude, latitude, longitude, precipitation, and temperature had significant relationships. During autumn, soft and hard masts were mainly characterized by high loadings; temperature and latitude had significant relationships. Spatial variation in the bear diet was the main result of vegetation types due to climatic factors that affect the nutritional and energetic requirements of bears and the availability of local food. In contrast, the tradeoff between food availability, nutritional conditions, and energetic requirements determined the food items. However, there were many distributions where dietary information was lacking, so accumulating information is essential to elucidate the ABB feeding strategy and how it adapts to each environment.