American Black Bear Facts

American Black Bear Description

The American Black Bear can be either brown or black in color. Some of them even have white on them. They have thick layers of fur which keep them warm. They have the external layer that we can see. They also have a layer that is very close to the skin. This helps to keep them dry.

They can range significantly in size depending on the region where they live. This can be from 200 to 500 pounds. They can be up to five feet tall in an upright position as well.

Distribution

You will find these bears all over the place, but mainly in forest areas. They have been found in common hiking and camping areas of humans too so you do need to be aware of their presence. These bears have been able to adapt to a variety of different types of environments. This ability has allowed them to continue thriving in spite of the conditions around them.

They can be found in the plains, the mountains, and even in swampy regions. They will basically survive anywhere as long as their need for food and shelter can be met there. They often have to share areas with humans due to homes being built so close to the supply of water they rely upon. They are found in 28 states of the USA, around Canada, and even into Mexico.

Behavior

These bears tend to be very active in the early morning and then again as the sun goes down. Those that live in areas where it is hot will find shady spots in caves or among the trees to rest and to stay cool. They can run up to 40 miles per hour to escape danger or to capture prey.

These types of bears often do hibernate to some extent. However, it is often not a complete span of rest. They will get up periodically to go look for food or even to move to a new location.

Diet and Feeding

The American Black Bear has a wide selection of types of foods to consume. They include nuts, berries, and fruits when they are in season. They will also consume insects, fish, and rodents. Don't think that they aren't after some larger prey though. They have been known to kill moose, deer, and elk to feed upon.

They do tend to consume leaves and tree bark as well when they can't find meat. This particular bear is one that loves honey and other sweets. They can become a nuisance if they know people have food in the area. Keeping trash cans and other areas of food secured is important.

Reproduction

The American Black Bears find each other for mating in the late spring or early summer. However, the females can delay the attachment of the embryo to the uterus until the fall. Then they will be born in February of the following year. Generally two cubs are born but as many as four can be found in a single litter. After about a year of the mothers care these cubs will make a life on their own.

Conservation

When it comes to bears, there are more American Black Bears than any other. Approximately 400,000 of them are believed to be in the wild today. Conserving the natural areas where they live should be more important than it is though.

Human interaction

Many people have come across an American Black Bear in the wild. They aren't aggressive in nature so usually they will go their own way and leave people alone. The hunting of these types of bears is very common though due to their size. In some regions such hunting is even encouraged to keep the overall bear population under control.