The North American Black Bear

The black bear is the most common of the three species of bears found in North America. Black bear sightings have been registered in every state of the United States, with the exception of Hawaii. Interestingly enough, it is also the smallest of the bears of North America. Typically, black bears are found in forested areas, though seasonably they can be found at sea level areas.

Though they are classified as "black bears", this species (Ursus Americana) is not always black. This is simply the most common color, though brown and cinnamon-colored bears are also found, especially in Alaska. Rarely, and most commonly in the vicinity of British Columbia, a white or cream colored bear may be found, and even more abnormal is the blue or glacier color that can be found in some parts of Southeast Alaska.

A black bear can be recognized (as opposed to the brown bear) mainly through facial features and claws. The black bear has a straight facial profile and short, curved claws that are sharp but rarely grow beyond 1-1/2 inches long. They can also be distinguished from their cousins by measuring the upper rear molar. It will never exceed 1-1/4 inches, while the same tooth on a brown bear will never be shorter than that.

Mating season for the black bear is typically from June through July, and these animals are loners during most other times of the year. After mating, the fertilized egg doesn't implant immediately; instead, this process takes place in the fall, followed by a gestational period of about seven months. At birth, a black bear cub is not nearly as cute and cuddly as one might imagine. They are blind, almost completely bald, and weigh less that a pound. They will not come out of the den into the wild until around May, and at this time, the bear cub will weigh closer to five pounds and be covered with soft wooly hair.

Bear cubs stay with the mother through their first winter, and the sow will not breed again until the next season, as black bears only breed every other year unless a littler of cubs is lost. At the same time, in some harsher environments, black bears will keep their cubs an extra year and only breed every third year. Black bears typically reach sexual maturity between three and six years of age, depending on their environment.

Though black bears are not picky about their diet and eat when opportunity arises, there are certain patterns they prefer to follow. When hibernation ends in the early spring, they enjoy fresh vegetation, though they are hungry enough at this time to eat whatever they can find (they can weigh up to 25% less at this time than when they begin their hibernation period in the early winter). Through the summer, black bears become excellent fishermen and enjoy salmon. If there are no fish in an area, they will rely on vegetation, especially berries, with blueberries being their taste preference. These bears will also eat ants, grubs, and other insects. Occasionally, a male bear may even prey on its own cubs, causing a strong protective bond between mother and cubs.