What’s a Black Bear?
This medium-sized bear is usually black with a brown muzzle, and lacks the shoulder hump of the Brown Bear. Although black is the predominant color, chocolate and cinnamon brown are also common. There is even a white Black Bear. The Asiatic Black Bear has a distinct white patch on the chest which is sometimes V- shaped and ears which appear large in proportion to the rest of the head. Black Bears have strong, highly curved claws and the profile of the face is convex (protruding outward) as opposed to the more concave profile of a Brown Bear.
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How big is a Black Bear?
Adult males Black Bears range from about 4 ft to 7 ft from nose to tail and weigh from 130 to 660 lbs. Females measure from 4 to 6 ft and weigh 90 to 175 lbs. Their weight depends upon their age, the season of the year, and how much food is available.
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Where do they live?
Black Bears are normally found only in forested areas, but within such habitat they are highly adaptable. They live in both arid and moist forests, from sea level to 6,500 ft. Historically Black Bears are thought to stay away from open habitat to avoid becoming prey to Brown Bears. Black Bears have become established in the tundra of northern Labrador, a region where are no Brown Bears. They are widely distributed through forests of North America. They are currently found in northern Mexico, 32 U.S. states, and all Canadian Provinces except Prince Edward Island. Estimates on the number of black Bears in North America vary, with 750,000 being the most often suggested. The state of Pennsylvania is believed to be home for about 7,000 Black Bears.
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What do they eat?
They are omnivorous, which means they will eat almost anything. Typical of bears they are fond of honey and are responsible for thousands of dollars worth of damages to apiaries (bee farms) each year. Insects (particularly ants), nuts berries, acorns, grasses, roots, and other vegetation form the bulk of their diet. They are also efficient predators of small deer and moose. In some areas of eastern British Columbia they also feed on spawning salmon.
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What about cubs?
Pregnancy last about 220 days, and the cubs are born in a maternity den in January and February. Liter size is 1 to 5, with 2 being the average. Female Black Bears reach sexual maturity at 3 to 4 years of age, and males a year or so later. The cubs usually weigh 7 to 11 ounces. Cubs may be weaned for 6 to 8 months, but remain with their mothers for a year and a half. Consequently, the most often that female Black Bears will mate, unless they lose their cubs prematurely, is every 2 years.
What's hibernation?
Bears will hibernate when food is scarce and the temperature is too cold. They can sleep for months without eating, drinking, or urinating. During hibernation their heartbeat drops from 40 to 70 beats per minute to only 10 to 12 beats per minute. They will usually make a den in a cave or under a fallen tree and cover themselves with leaves and other brush. Some bears in warmer climates, where food is available all year round, will not hibernate at all.
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How long do they live?
Black Bears can live 20-25 years in the wild, however very few adult bears outside of national parks, die of natural causes. Black Bears are at the top of their food chain and have little to fear from other animals. Mountain lions, other bears, and wolves will sometimes prey on cubs, but the primary threat to the Black Bear is human. Most are eventually shot. Some are hit by vehicles. The average age of death in hunted populations is 3 to 5 years.
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