The Big Black Bear

Ursus americanus

The Black Bear

Fun Facts

Black bears historically occupied nearly all of the forested regions of North America, but in the U.S. they are now restricted to the forested areas less densely occupied by humans.
Despite their name, black bears are not always black — they can also be light brown, blond, or even grey-blue
They are solitary animals unless there is abundant food
They are excellent climbers and swimmer, doing so for pleasure and to feed
They have a very keen sense of smell and can often be seen standing on their hind legs, sniffing scents
Bear lips, unlike the lips of other animals, are not attached directly to the gums. This makes them very flexible and useful for stripping berries from bushes
Most black bears hibernate between October and March, depending on local weather conditions and availability of food
Black bears are highly dexterous, being capable of opening screw-top jars and manipulating door latches. They also have great physical strength
Black bears tend to shuffle along slowly when walking but are able to run at speeds of around 25 to 30 miles per hour

Quick facts

Common Name: American Black Bear

Scientific Name: Ursus americanus

Habitat: Primarily forested areas with thick ground vegetation and an abundance of fruits, nuts, and vegetation

Size: Boars weigh 150-300 pounds, are 2-3 feet high at the shoulders and 4-7 feet from nose to tail. Sows are somewhat smaller. At birth cubs weigh 14 ounces and measure 8 inches but quickly gain up to 6 pounds before they leave the den at 2-3 months

Diet: They eat plants, fruits, nuts, insects, honey, salmon, small mammals and carrion

Reproduction: Mating season is between June-July, but the embryos do not begin to develop until the mother has stored enough fat to survive over winter . Sows usually produce their first litter at the age of 4 years and will only reproduce every second year (or more). Gestation is about 7 months. Litter size is typically 2-4. Young stay with their mothers for 2 years