Bear Scratches

From the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS):

Scratches — We know what you're thinking...these have to be scratches from when Hugh Jackman was training to fight as Wolverine, right? Sadly, they are not. These are actually bear scratches left on a tree in Paradise Valley, Montana. When looking for a place to set up a trapping (non-invasive bear hair traps) location, scientists look for existing bear signs such as scratches on trees and bear scat (aka - poop). Sometimes traps are set in areas that have no obvious bear signs to determine if bears are, indeed, present.

You can learn more about the science that USGS does on grizzly and black bear populations by visting:http://on.doi.gov/BearScience. Photo credit: Suzanna Soileau, USGS.

#USGS #science #bears #Montana #animals #biology