Black Bear Scat

A black bear scat found on an abandoned dirt road in the backcountry. It was composed of seeds from a manzanita shrub and other plant matter.

Black bear scat composed completely of apples. The peels apparently don't digest well.

Another black bear scat composed of apples. These scats were all found in the same apple orchard.

An older black bear scat composed of apples. This one had broken apart. There is not much holding the apple scats together,
so they tend to appear as just a pile of peels.

A black bear scat with remains of, not only apples, but also various seeds and berries found locally.

This scat retained its tubular shape well. It was composed primarily of seeds and berries from various local plants.

This black bear scat contained some white and black fur. The fur could have been from a carcass, or from a small animal the bear had killed. Bears can run fast after prey for short distances, but not long distance. Their legs and muscles are built for strength rather than speed. Although the diet of a black bear is 90 percent vegetable matter, they do eat other animals at times. Look closely in scats and you may be able to identify the prey species.

Another black bear scat composed of berries and seeds.