Mammals of North America: American Black Bear
In North American, the American black bear ranges from northern Canada south into the mountains of northern Mexico and is found on the North American continent from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific coast in the west. Although black bears are not seen in every state of the US, they have been reported in the majority.
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The average American black bear does a lot of growing in its lifetime, as a newborn cub generally weighs less than a pound at birth. At maturity, males can weigh over 800 pounds and are usually twice as heavy as the largest adult females, weighing around 400 pounds, (180 kg). However, most adult black bears are about a third of that size on average. An American black bear standing upright on its back legs can reach heights of approximately five feet. True to its name, most black bears are covered in black hair. However, there are many exceptions, from light brown through chocolate brown, and some have a small patch of white fur on their chests. There are reported incidences of completely white black bears. The daily care of baby black bears, called cubs, is done exclusively by the mothers, although the father will usually prevent other adult males from entering the mother's territory, thus protecting his cubs in a round-about way. However, the immediate welfare of the young is under the guardianship of their mothers. After the mother bear weans her cub(s), she will teach them how to find food, where to forage, and how and when to hide from danger. She is extremely protective of her wards and will fight to the death to ensure their survival. Black bears are also adept climbers and can scamper up a tree whenever they choose, especially to escape danger. Most black bears are solitary creatures except when cubs are still learning from their mothers. When the mother is finished teaching her young the needed survival skills, she will force them from her territory and they must establish their own range. Black bears have an acute sense of smell and can zero in on food from a good distance away. They use their sharp claws to dig and forage for food. Being omnivores, they will consume a wide variety of food, whenever available: from insects and grass, to fruits and nuts, to fish and carrion, to small rodents and the contents of the garbage can left outside. The most common time for a black bear to come in contact with a human is when they are looking for a meal. Most often they forage in deep woodlands and other well-concealed areas. |
