Black Bear

Ursus americanus

size/weight/height

Black bears can reach up to six feet in length. Males weigh anywhere from 150 to 600 pounds and females can weigh from 90 to 200 pounds. However, depending upon the quality and availability of food, their weight can vary considerably from the average. Males tend to be generally 20 to 60 percent larger than females.

adaptations/coloration

Black bears are not only black, they can be brown, cinnamon, or blonde. Some populations in coastal British Columbia and Alaska are creamy white or bluish gray. They usually have a pale muzzle, which contrasts with their darker fur and may have a white chest spot. Each paw has five strong claws used for tearing, digging, and climbing. They have flat grinding teeth or molars at the back of their mouth to chew grasses and huge canine teeth for ripping chunks of meat.

behavior

Black bears are solitary by nature. This is due to the huge amount of food and area it takes to feed each bear. However, they do come together during the mating season, as well as when food is plentiful, or when caring for cubs. Black bears are very territorial and have great navigational skills. Black bears are also well known for their excellent sense of smell and climbing abilities. They will typically avoid humans, unless attracted by the smell of food. In addition, black bears can be hostile towards humans when challenged or if they are protecting their cubs.

reproduction/life span

The only time black bears are not solitary is during the breeding season. Breeding season takes place in June and July. Female bears have cubs every other year (if they have enough food to support pregnancy). Gestation is 220 days on average and the number of cubs can range from 1 to 5.

Most black bears can live to about 10 years. Man is the largest threat to black bears, primarily because of encounters resulting in gunshots, trapping and motor vehicle accidents.

diet

As an omnivore, the black bear's diet varies seasonally and locally. They will eat everything from grasses, herbs, fruit and berries, as well as animal matter in the form of colonial insects and beetles. Bears will consume carrion and hunt game, but only when other food sources are scarce.

habitat/range

Black bear habitat is characterized by relatively inaccessible terrain, thick understory vegetation, and abundant sources of food in the form of shrub or tree-borne fruit and berries. Black bears can be found from northern Alaska east across Canada to Labrador and Newfoundland, and south through much of Alaska, virtually all of Canada, and most of the U.S. into central Mexico.

other

Black bears are the smallest and most common bear native to North America. Black bears do not go into a deep hibernation sleep like other animals. Their body temperature remains almost normal and they can be easily roused.