User:Woodpeckerlips/Japanese Black Bear

Habitat
Black bears currently live on two Japanese islands: Honshu and Shikoku. Populations can be found in the northeastern high snow region and the southwestern low snow region; however, they have been spotted as high as the alpine region, more than 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) high. Their preferred habitat is broad-leaved deciduous forests. They tend to live in areas where there is an abundance of grasses and trees with berries to support their diet.

Diet
Japanese black bears are typically herbivorous, eating mainly grasses and herbs during the spring. During the summer, they switch to berries and nuts to prepare themselves for their hibernation. The bear is able to get the berries and nuts by climbing trees and using their claws to grab the food. These animals can be omnivorous and will eat other wild animals or livestock when there is a need. Typical prey species include Japanese serow, wild boar, and sika deer. Populations in central Honshu have been observed consuming ants during the summer. Since ants are not a significant source of daily calories, their dietary value may be as a source of amino acids. Like other bears, cannibalism occurs, as has been demonstrated when bone fragments and claws of a cub were found inside the stomach of a male black bear. They have also been documented consuming invasive species such as nutria.

Conservation
Human activity has had a huge impact on Japanese black bear populations. Habitat destruction and fragmentation is a particular problem as towns and cities expand and bear habitat is converted for commercial purposes. The topography of Japan has played an important role in this. Historical land-use patterns in the mountainous interior have placed agricultural and residential areas in close proximity to bear habitat. This has led to an increase in nuisance kills as bears migrate because of seasonal food shortages. Over-hunting and poaching is also a major issue. Bears' parts are very desirable and can be sold on the black market for a high price. Habitat fragmentation has also resulted in a loss of genetic diversity as bear populations become fragmented also. Loss of genetic diversity reduces the ability of a population to adapt to increasingly unstable conditions. Because of these factors, the Japanese black bear is considered to be at high risk of extinction. The subspecies will likely be gone within the next 100 years at the rate they are currently declining.