dcr
Deceased Member
Registered: February 2004
Posts: 1,317
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This is a 'bear tree', a tree used by bears to send messages to other bears. Males usually make these marks in the spring (by scratching the bark with their claws) to advertise their presence to potential mates, or to hopefully deter potential rivals. They often reach up high to show off their size. Sometimes they (mostly females) climb the tree just for fun, as happened with this one - the black box shows 4 small marks that were made when a bear dug deeply into the bark for support as he/she climbed. They also rub their backs up against the tree, leaving scent marks that tell other bears things like their readiness for mating, or even what they've eaten recently. The red mark is a blaze on a Castle trail.
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Winnipesaukee Forum
