Adult Female Black Bear Back Scratching Riding Mountain National Park

An adult female Black Bear takes some time out for scratching her back on a tree in Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba, Canada.

Standing on her hind feet, an adult female Black Bear takes pleasure in scratching her back on one of the smaller trees in Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba, Canada. The Black Bear can stand on its hind legs for a long period of time while showing off its lighter colored fur on its underside.

Black Bears can be spotted scratching their backs or stomachs on trees, fences and logs. A male Black Bear will often use this scratching technique as a means of marking their territory. Another way a Black Bear will leave their scent is by urinating on raised objects but this is usually only done during the mating season.

Adult female Black Bear, Ursus americanus, scratching its back on a tree in Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba, Canada.