Black Bear Description
The American black bear which is found only in North America is fairly small. In fact it is the smallest of the 3 bear species found in North America standing only 2 to 3 feet at the shoulders and 4 to 7 feet long (nose to tip of the tail). They usually weigh between 150 and 300 pounds, however, some males have been found at 500 to 600 lbs. Females are smaller.
Their fur is usually uniform in color but they sport a brown muzzle and sometimes have light markings on their chests.
In the East, the bears are usually black in color while in the west, the bear populations often have brown, cinnamon, and blond coloration in addition to black.
The black bears that have cream/white fur are known as Kermode or Spirit bear or Ghost Bears, a subspecies. These bears are found only in coastal British Columbia, Canada.
They usually life between 20 and 25 years in the wild. What is a Black Bear's Range? The American black bear is found throughout America including Canada, the United States and Mexico.
In Canada, they inhabit the forested areas where they have historically lived. The only exception is where the land is heavily farmed.
In the United States their habitats have dwindled because of human populations have moved into their habitat. They are now restricted to the less populated forested areas.
Black bears used to inhabit the northern mountains of Mexico. There are now only a few scattered populations of bear. How do Black Bears Breed? The size of a female black bear is the determining factor on when she will have her first litter. Some can become pregnant as young as 2-1/2 and others as old as 10 years.
The bears mate in late May or June. The egg does not immediately implant in the uterus, instead floating around until November at which time, they implant that is IF the bear has gained enough weight to sustain the pregnancy.
In January, 2 to 5 cubs are born. And, yes, the mother is still in their den hibernating but she actively takes care of here cubs. She cleans them by licking them and aligns them with her teats. They remain in the den for until April, growing all the while. What Black Bears Eat Black bears are omnivorous. They eat salmon and will occasionally kill moose calves and young deer. They also eat plants, fruits, nuts and insects. Like all bears, they love honey. Black Bears and Hibernation Black bears will pick out a shallow depression in the earth, under logs or in hollowed-out trees or dig a den to hibernate during the winter.
In the past, the type of hibernation black bears do was not considered a true hibernation because their body temperature does not drop appreciably.
Black bears and brown bears are now both considered hibernators because mammalian hibernation now takes other factor into consideration such as they go up to 7-1/2 months without eating, drinking, urinating, or defecating.
Upon waking, they forage for new shoots and any animals they find that were killed due to the cold. This helps them build their strength quickly.
Foot Prints
The American black bear which is found only in North America is fairly small. In fact it is the smallest of the 3 bear species found in North America standing only 2 to 3 feet at the shoulders and 4 to 7 feet long (nose to tip of the tail). They usually weigh between 150 and 300 pounds, however, some males have been found at 500 to 600 lbs. Females are smaller.
Their fur is usually uniform in color but they sport a brown muzzle and sometimes have light markings on their chests.
In the East, the bears are usually black in color while in the west, the bear populations often have brown, cinnamon, and blond coloration in addition to black.
The black bears that have cream/white fur are known as Kermode or Spirit bear or Ghost Bears, a subspecies. These bears are found only in coastal British Columbia, Canada.
They usually life between 20 and 25 years in the wild. What is a Black Bear's Range? The American black bear is found throughout America including Canada, the United States and Mexico.
In Canada, they inhabit the forested areas where they have historically lived. The only exception is where the land is heavily farmed.
In the United States their habitats have dwindled because of human populations have moved into their habitat. They are now restricted to the less populated forested areas.
Black bears used to inhabit the northern mountains of Mexico. There are now only a few scattered populations of bear. How do Black Bears Breed? The size of a female black bear is the determining factor on when she will have her first litter. Some can become pregnant as young as 2-1/2 and others as old as 10 years.
The bears mate in late May or June. The egg does not immediately implant in the uterus, instead floating around until November at which time, they implant that is IF the bear has gained enough weight to sustain the pregnancy.
In January, 2 to 5 cubs are born. And, yes, the mother is still in their den hibernating but she actively takes care of here cubs. She cleans them by licking them and aligns them with her teats. They remain in the den for until April, growing all the while. What Black Bears Eat Black bears are omnivorous. They eat salmon and will occasionally kill moose calves and young deer. They also eat plants, fruits, nuts and insects. Like all bears, they love honey. Black Bears and Hibernation Black bears will pick out a shallow depression in the earth, under logs or in hollowed-out trees or dig a den to hibernate during the winter.
In the past, the type of hibernation black bears do was not considered a true hibernation because their body temperature does not drop appreciably.
Black bears and brown bears are now both considered hibernators because mammalian hibernation now takes other factor into consideration such as they go up to 7-1/2 months without eating, drinking, urinating, or defecating.
Upon waking, they forage for new shoots and any animals they find that were killed due to the cold. This helps them build their strength quickly.
Foot Prints
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