American Black Bears
Gallery
About Black Bears
Black bears are a medium sized bear found in North America. They are excellent climbers. Their claws give them good grip and the branches provide safety for younger bears. Their average lifespan in the wild is 20 years. Adults range from 5-6 feet in length and weigh 200-600 pounds. They have a small head with small, rounded ears. Their claws are non retractile unlike dogs and cats.
Black bears are not territorial and the home ranges of both males and females overlap. Home ranges are generally larger where there is less food and smaller when there is more. Black bears do become dormant in the winter. They spend their winters in dens.
Black bears are not territorial and the home ranges of both males and females overlap. Home ranges are generally larger where there is less food and smaller when there is more. Black bears do become dormant in the winter. They spend their winters in dens.
Foods and Behaviors
Black bears have an omnivorous diet. In the spring, they eat the emerging plants and carcasses of animals that died in the winter. They eat fruits in the summer and in the fall, they consume both fruit and nuts in the fall. They will also eat pinecones, roots, ants, and honey. In some areas, they frequently kill moose calves and deer fawns in the spring.
In natural habitats, black bears are active during the day. However, in areas with human activity such as campsites and dumps, they often become nocturnal to avoid encounters with humans. Black bears generally like to avoid humans but human encounters with them will occasionally result in injury or death. So, avoiding surprise encounters with them is the best defense.
In natural habitats, black bears are active during the day. However, in areas with human activity such as campsites and dumps, they often become nocturnal to avoid encounters with humans. Black bears generally like to avoid humans but human encounters with them will occasionally result in injury or death. So, avoiding surprise encounters with them is the best defense.
