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141a9d28-e9c3-4058-81fd-2221b13ce354 BLACK BEAR DIET Aspen - Big-Tooth, Quaking or Trembling Populus grandidentata, Populus tremuloides April-catkins, May-leaves Late Winter, Spring Big Toothed Aspen is one of the last trees to leaf out in the spring. The most abundant and widespread tree in Minnesota is the aspen; a fast growing pioneer tree species. After a clear cut or a fire, Aspen will often be the first tree to grow back. Aspen catkins are an important spring(April)food for black bears delivering approximately 14% protein. Aspen leaves are eaten by black bears in May when trees start leafing out.

f77e5a38-35da-44c0-9d7f-12d993ab122e < Back Slide 41 of 83 < > But even with all those problems, white pines seedlings can survive if they have the right conditions. For example, white pines still thrive along roadsides where they can find soil, sunlight, and less browsing by deer.

HOW BEARS LIVE Read More Find out more about the five stages of bear activity: Hibernation Walking Hibernation Normal Activity Hyperphasia Fall Transition Read More Read More From January through December, read about a bear's life month by month. Read More Read More Denning remains the least studied aspect of black bear life. Find out more about life for wild black bears in natural dens. (Spoiler Alert - There's a lot more happening than you might think!) Read More

WILDLIFE REHAB FACILITIES Wildlife Rehabilitation Facilities Wildwood Wildlife Rehabilitation 4009 W. Arrowhead Road Duluth MN 55811 www.wildwoodsrehab.org Phone 218-491-3604 Wild and Free 10033 Old Highway 18 Brainerd MN 56401 www.wildandfree.org Phone 320-692-5417 CALL Garrison Animal Hospital first Phone 320-692-4180 Wildlife Rehabilitation Center 2530 Dale Street North Roseville MN 55113 www.wrcmn.org Phone 651-486-9453 Wild Instincts 4621 Apperson Drive Rhinelander WI 54501 www.wildinstinctsrehab.com Phone 715-362-4953

b6c120d9-8275-4fae-b4a1-8e043d6a78f8 < Back Slide 37 of 83 < > A half century ago when foresters were deciding not to plant white pines, they were also doing something they did not realize would make it harder for natural seedlings. They were protecting the forest from fire. This kept fires from spreading and kept seedlings from being burned up, but it also made fires unnaturally infrequent.

3d7f5823-79a1-47a3-8ef3-84246a079651 < Back Slide 30 of 83 < > They worked hard and planted over 25 million white pine seedlings in Minnesota.

22120a29-ec3b-4c71-881d-325d97041f44 < Back Slide 14 of 83 < > This continues even today.

30ccf2ab-9776-4e02-b5dd-394bc5eb714a BLACK BEAR DIET Snowflea . April Late Winter Snowfleas, also known as springtails, are not actually fleas and are found in masses under the leaf litter at this time of year. Bears gently rake away the top layer of leaf litter and lick up the snowfleas.

70d0b7b0-701e-4a19-9a75-4d461a885848 < Back Eating Icicles Mothers also ate icicles to get water. Previous Next

5070e881-b155-487b-b39e-cf2d1903324e < Back Licking the Cubs Dry Mothers immediately lick the birthing fluids off each cub and warm it. Previous Next

14496b45-9302-4efa-b055-e3498dedf4cd < Back Play Between Mothers and Yearlings In fact, all family members played, including this mother with yearlings. The way they expended energy on play when they had no food made us think how important play is to family relations. Previous Next

901363e8-ab97-4d4e-a79f-450b5fc63254 < Back Slide 79 of 83 < > They provide habitat for uncommon mosses, rare fungi, salamanders, red-bellied snakes, insects, mice, and a variety of other animals. As the log begins to crumble into the forest floor it gives a final gift to the forest. It becomes the best place for a new white pine to take root. The dead white pine nourishes a new forest giant to take its place.