Observation of an American Black Bear Eating Odonates in Yosemite National Park

A rare observation of an American black bear (Ursus americanus) consuming dragonflies in Yosemite National Park reveals that emerging aquatic insects, particularly odonates, may represent a previously overlooked but significant component of the bear's diet. While scat analyses have historically indicated ants and wasps as primary insect food sources for black bears, this documented behavior suggests greater dietary diversity than previously assumed. The study highlights the importance of visual observation in identifying highly digestible food items that are often missed by traditional dietary analysis methods. This finding contributes to a broader understanding of black bear ecology and natural history, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive documentation of their foraging behaviors.

Moeller, K. T., Moeller, A. K., Moyano, F., & Lundgren, E. J. (2017). Observation of an American Black Bear Eating Odonates in Yosemite National Park. Western North American Naturalist, 77(1), 99. https://doi.org/10.3398/064.077.0110