Black Bear
American black bear, cinnamon bear, blue-black bear
Ursus americanus
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Black bears are true forest dwellers that can be found across North America. With their glossy black fur and impressive size, they are a fascinating sight for those lucky enough to spot one. Known for their excellent climbing skills, black bears have a curious nature, and they love to explore. They can be found in forests, swamps, and even in the mountains!
Black Bear
Common Name
Black Bear
Other Names
American black bear, cinnamon bear, blue-black bear
Latin Name
Ursus americanus
Distribution
United States, Canada, northern Mexico; from the East Coast through to the West Coast, including Alaska
Appearance
Black bears have short, non-retractable claws that give them an excellent grip for climbing trees. They have large, rounded ears, and their eyesight and hearing are sharp. What’s really interesting is their sense of smell, which is much better than a human’s and helps them find food!
Size
Adult black bears can measure about 75 cm (30 inches) at the shoulder and can be over 150 cm (5 feet) long.
Habitat
Deciduous and coniferous forests, dense brushland, wetlands
Behavior
Black bears are mostly solitary except during mating season or when a mother is raising her cubs. They hibernateHibernation is a remarkable survival strategy used by some animals to endure harsh winter conditions. During hibernation, these animals enter a deep, prolonged state of reduced activity, characterized by a significant drop in metabolic processes, including heart rate and body temperature, allowing them to conserve energy and survive through the challenging cold months. Learn More in the colder months, taking long naps in dens they create or find.
Diet
Omnivorous, eating plants, fruits, nuts, insects, honey, salmon, and small mammals
Lifecycle
Black bears live a life of solitude, mating in the summer and females giving birth during winter hibernation. Cubs stay with their mother for about two years, learning how to survive.
Communication
Grunts, moans, and blows when threatened; they also use body language and scent-marking.
Defense Mechanisms
When threatened, black bears can run quickly and climb trees. They may also fake charges to scare off danger. Their sharp teeth and strong jaws are used in defense if necessary.
Ecological Importance
As omnivoresOmnivores are animals that eat both plants and meat. They are like the flexible eaters of the animal kingdom. Just as you can have a salad for lunch and a hamburger for dinner, omnivores enjoy a variety of foods. Learn More, black bears play a role in ecosystemAn ecosystem is a community of living organisms, like insects and birds, and non-living components, like water and rocks, that interact with each other in a specific area. Learn More balance by controlling insect populations and spreading seeds through their droppings. They also help the forest by breaking open logs while searching for insects, which accelerates decompositionDecomposition is a natural process that happens when living things, like plants, animals, or other organic matter, break down into simpler substances. It is a part of the circle of life and plays an essential role in recycling nutrients back into the environment. Learn More.
ConservationThe act of protecting and preserving natural resources and the environment. Conservation efforts are important to protect beavers and their habitats. Learn More Status
Least Concern, but some subspecies are threatened or endangered.
There’s a lot to explore right where we are, in our own neighborhoods and backyards! Join us while we get off the couch and explore the everyday wonders of nature, science, space, engineering, art, and anything else we stumble upon during on our adventures.
