The American black bear is the smallest of the three bears species found in North America, and are found only in North America. Black bears have short, non-retractable claws that give them an excellent tree-climbing ability.

Fast Facts

Height: 2-3 feet (.6-.9m) at shoulders Length: 4-7 feet (1.2-2m) from nose to tip of tail Weight: Males weigh an average of 150-300 lbs (68-158 kg), females are smaller. Exceptionally large males have been known to weigh 500-600 lbs (227-272 kg). Lifespan: Average lifespan is around ten years, though black bears can live upward of 30 years in the wild.

Black bear fur is usually a uniform color except for a brown muzzle and light markings that sometimes appear on their chests. Eastern populations are usually black in color while western populations often show brown, cinnamon, and blond coloration in addition to black. Black bears with white-bluish fur are known as Kermode (glacier) bears and these unique color phases are only found in coastal British Columbia, Canada.

Diet

American black bears are omnivorous: plants, fruits, nuts, insects, honey, salmon, small mammals and carrion. In northern regions, they eat spawning salmon. Black bears will also occasionally kill young deer or moose calves.

Population

Defenders at Work

Defenders is working to protect the Florida black bear by helping preserve its habitat and educating citizens with our Habitat for Bears campaign, which includes presentations, curriculum, and a learning and resource box. Learn more about what Defenders is doing to help black bears >>

It is estimated that there are at least 600,000 black bears in North America. In the United States, there are estimated to be over 300,000 individuals. However, the Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolu) and Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus) are threatened subspecies with small populations (see Legal Status/Protection).

Range

The American black bear is distributed throughout North America, from Canada to Mexico and in at least 40 states in the U.S. They historically occupied nearly all of the forested regions of North America, but in the U.S. they are now restricted to the forested areas less densely occupied by humans. In Canada, black bears still inhabit most of their historic range except for the intensively farmed areas of the central plains. In Mexico, black bears were thought to have inhabited the mountainous regions of the northern states but are now limited to a few remnant populations.

Behavior

Black bears are extremely adaptable and show a great variation in habitat types, though they are primarily found in forested areas with thick ground vegetation and an abundance of fruits, nuts, and vegetation. In the northern areas, they can be found in the tundra, and they will sometimes forage in fields or meadows.

Black bears tend to be solitary animals, with the exception of mothers and cubs. The bears usually forage alone, but will tolerate each other and forage in groups if there is an abundance of food in one area.

Most black bears hibernate depending on local weather conditions and availability of food during the winter months. In regions where there is a consistent food supply and warmer weather throughout the winter, bears may not hibernate at all or do so for a very brief time. Females give birth and usually remain denned throughout the winter, but males and females without young may leave their dens from time to time during winter months.

Reproduction Mating Season: Summer. Gestation: 63-70 days. Litter Size: 1-6 cubs; 2 cubs are most common. Cubs remain with the mother for a year and a half or more, even though they are weaned at 6-8 months of age. Females only reproduce every second year (or more). Should the young die for some reason, the female may reproduce again after only one year.

Threats Habitat loss and fragmentation, logging, human encroachment, road-kills, poaching and depredation kills. Highways, homes and other developments built through bear habitat fragment their habitat, sometimes keeping them from large areas they depend on for food, water and shelter. Habitat fragmentation also makes it difficult for bears to find mates and limits their chances to move into more suitable habitat. There is a misconception that black bears are vicious animals. Because there is a common misconception among people that black bears are vicious, increasing numbers of bears are being killed as more people move into bear habitat and have interactions with them.

Reasons For Hope Most existing black bear populations are either stable or growing in the United States thanks to their adaptability and careful state management.

Legal Status/Protection

. Endangered Species Act (ESA): Under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolu) is listed as threatened. In Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, the American black bear is protected by legislation as a threatened species due to its close resemblance to the Louisiana subspecies. . The Florida black bear subspecies (Ursus americanus floridanus) is listed as threatened by the state of Florida. In most of the remaining states, black bears are classified as a game animal. In Canada the bears are classified as a pest species in the agricultural areas of Manitoba, while they are classified as a game animal and/or furbearer in the rest of Canada. In Mexico, the black bear is listed as Endangered by Mexican wildlife authorities.