Denning Behavior Classifications Using Temperature Sensor Data on Collars Deployed on Polar Bears in the Southern Beaufort Sea, 1986-2013

These data include two spreadsheets. The first is average daily temperatures received via satellite transmitting collars deployed on polar bears in the southern Beaufort Sea 1986-2013. The second is denning classifications for adult female polar bears in the southern Beaufort Sea using the temperature data. Denning was classified using a control chart-based algorithm applied to the temperature data received from the collars. This method was validated by comparisons with a previous study, direct observations during flights to track collared bears, and observations of females with newborn cubs the following spring. Further information is available in the methods. These data were used to identify denning behavior of polar bears in the southern Beaufort Sea.