American black bear is a large mammal of North America known for its shaggy black fur. Black bears live from Canada to northern Mexico. The average black bear measures 5 to 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters) long. It may weigh from 100 to 400 pounds (45 to 180 kilograms). Females are smaller than males. The American black bear is smaller than its North American relative, the brown bear (including the grizzly bear ). The black bear has five claws on each foot, which it uses to climb trees. Black bears are skillful climbers. They may climb trees to find food or for safety when threatened. American black bears may vary in color from black to brown, bluish black, cinnamon, honey blond, and even white. The muzzle is usually a lighter color than the rest of the body.
The black bear has a keen sense of smell that helps it find food. Black bears eat mostly plants. Their diet may include berries, cactuses and other succulent plants, honey, fish, insects, nuts, and carrion (dead animals). Black bears are opportunistic feeders, meaning that they tend to take advantage of whatever food sources are easily accessible. They may thus seek out such non-natural food sources as bird feeders and human food and garbage. This habit can bring bears into close contact with people, causing problems for both. Brown bears and wolf packs may prey on American black bears.
Before the arrival of winter, black bears must store up enough energy in the form of fat to survive the winter months. As the weather becomes cold, they go into their dens and enter into a winter sleep. They do not eat or drink and only awaken if disturbed. During this time, the bears survive in part by recycling nutrients from their wastes. The female gives birth during winter sleep. She may have from one to five cubs at a time. Cubs will stay with their mother for 1 1/2 years. The average life span of a black bear in the wild is about 10 to 15 years.
As long as there is sufficient food available, black bears can live in a wide range of habitats , including deserts, mountains, swamps, and tundra. Black bears historically lived throughout most of North America. But their numbers declined greatly by the 1940’s due to hunting, habitat destruction, and a fungus that wiped out chestnuts, previously a major food source. With legal protection, however, black bear numbers are recovering, and the bears are expanding back into their former ranges.
