American Black Bear
The American Black Bear is native to North America and the most common of the bear species.
Fast Facts
- Scientific name: Ursus americanus
- Common in the United States and Canada
- Prefer forests and shrub areas
- Hibernate in winter
- Diet: plants, insects and meat
- Attack when cornered, threatened or wounded
Habitat
While preferring forested areas, they may also be found in agricultural fields, ridges, swamp areas, and tidelands.
Behavior
Black bears enter a state of partial hibernation in the winter, during which time, they do not eat, drink, defecate or urinate. Mature females (3-4 years) give birth, and nurse cubs while hibernating. When black bear cubs are born, they are very small (10-14 oz), blind, and nearly hairless. Cubs are dependent upon the mother for survival, the mother shows the cubs how to forage, and when to climb a tree to avoid danger. Cubs are independent by their second summer, having been weaned by the mother during the first summer.
Diet
As omnivores, black bears have a diet that consists of plants and meat. They are usually the top predators in their environments, unless they share their habitat with the much larger Brown Bear. They are known to eat insect larvae, small mammals, deer fawns, as well as elk and moose calves. Black bears are notoriously opportunistic predators, often feeding on carrion, livestock, and garbage dumps.
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