What is the breeding age of black bears?
The age of first reproduction in female black bears is related to food supply, and hence body size and condition. When foods are abundant, the bears become sexually mature at 2 years and produce their first litter at age 3. However, when nutritionally stressed, females may delay cub production until 5 or even 7 years. In Massachusetts, females typically give birth at 3, although a few delay until 4 years of age. Occasional females in Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania have bred at 1 year and produced first litters at 2, while in parts of Alaska, Minnesota, and Montana sows sometimes first give birth at 6 to 7 years. Males are capable of breeding at 3 years but may not do so due to competition with larger dominant males. References: Alt 1980, Bittner 1998, Elowe 1984, Elowe 1987, Fuller 1993, Garshelis 1994, Garshelis et al. 1998, Jonkel and Cowan 1971, Miller 1994, Powell et al.
The age of first reproduction in female black bears is related to food supply, and hence body size and condition. When foods are abundant, the bears become sexually mature at 2 years and produce their first litter at age 3. However, when nutritionally stressed, females may delay cub production until 5 or even 7 years. In Massachusetts, females typically give birth at 3, although a few delay until 4 years of age. Occasional females in Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania have bred at 1 year and produced first litters at 2, while in parts of Alaska, Minnesota, and Montana sows sometimes first give birth at 6 to 7 years. Males are capable of breeding at 3 years but may not do so due to competition with larger dominant males. References: Alt 1980, Bittner 1998, Elowe 1984, Elowe 1987, Fuller 1993, Garshelis 1994, Garshelis et al. 1998, Jonkel and Cowan 1971, Miller 1994, Powell et al.
