Ecologists Get To The Bottom Of Why Bears Rub Trees
The question of why bears, which could be studied with dissection microscopes would rub trees had long challenged researchers, ecologists in particular, to delve into this issue of study. At present, the answer to this question had already been available. The reason was not due to the presence of itchy backs but rather it was a way of communication. It was disclosed that such an action, specifically that of grizzly adult male bears would do this in order to convey with one another at the same time, searching for female bears that were breeding. Also, this kind of attitude or action could help lessen arguments or conflicts among bears.
There were several theories which were being postulated just to answer the reason behind the rubbing of trees of bears. There were quite a number who thought that female bears rub trees when they would reach oestrous. There were also some who perceived that these animals, which could be examined extensively with dissection microscopes, might just be giving favor to their backs by giving them a satisfactory scratch in order to remove parasites, among others. Even up to this time, these postulations were quite hard to test due to the fact that bears typically resided at lower densities. In other words, rubbing was considered to be a somewhat uncommon behavior.
Moreover, bears had utilized similar rub trees for a very long time now. It was Nevin who was able to derive a remarkable insight toward this kind of behavior. For two years, he made use of four cameras which were all digital in order to gain sufficient data about this. He also had with him dissection microscopes. The cameras were able to illustrate that male bears which were in their adult stage were the ones that rub trees the most. Also, it was revealed that the males would transfer from one valley to another in huge loops. They would put markings on the trees on their way. At the same time, they would also search for females that were breeding. The researcher believed that through tree marking, knowing one another better among adult males would be possible. Needless to say, because the bears were already familiar with each other, the reduction of combats would follow. It was already a known fact that bears could harm each other very seriously whenever they would fight.
Furthermore, male bears just like other animals, would sometimes, harm an offspring of a female in order to obtain one time to be her mate. This was already termed by scientists as “sexually-selected infanticide.” The researcher’s work also recommended that bears which were very young might just be rubbing trees in order to aid them in tricking possible killer males. Although the researcher admitted that documentation of cubs that were being chased by one huge male that was paying a visit to the cubs’ mother was rather hard, the cameras played a witness to this scenario in many instances.
This was a very informative article because this would let the readers know or improve their comprehension on the manner in which bears communicate with one another.
