Seasonal food habits of the European brown bear (Ursus arctos) in the Pindos Mountains, Western Greece

The seasonal diet of the brown bear Ursus arctos was determined by analysin g the frequency of occurrence of diet items in 208 faeces in the Pindos Mou ntains, west of Greece, during 1994-1995. Diet varied significantly among s easons. Green vegetation was the most important food category during the sp ring (68.6%). Soft mast was the predominant food category in summer (105.7% ), and in autumn (98.1%). Vertebrates were present in small numbers during the summer (2.8%) and higher in autumn (18.5%) and absent in spring. The pr oportion of plant and animal material was consistent among seasons.