American Black Bear

Ursus americanus

Stats

Length:

5-6 ft

height:

3ft

Weight:

200-600 lbs

Lifespan:

20 years in the wild to 30 years in captivity

Sexual Maturity:

3-4 years for males, 3-6 years for females

Breeding Season:

Summer

Gestation Period:

220 days

Eats

Around 75% of their food comes from plants, but black bears are opportunistic omnivores and eat animals as well. Nuts and acorns make up a large part of their fall diet. Black bears regularly eat insects and dead animals and occasionally kill and eat small animals like rabbits, squirrels, and fawns.

Lives

Black bears are North America's most familiar and common bears. They typically live in forests and are excellent tree climbers, but are also found in mountains and swamps. Black bears are found throughout much of Virginia and in 41 states, Canada, and Mexico. They are most often found in wooded areas with nut-producing trees.

Behavior

Black bears are solitary, but not territorial. They hibernate for up to 6 months out of the year, during the winter months to avoid the cold weather and lack of available food. During hibernation they do not eat, drink, or expel waste, living completely off of the fat they gained during the previous fall. They den in hollow trees or logs, under the root mass of a tree, in rock crevices, or even high in a tree in warmer climates.

Description

Black bears are fascinating animals known for their thick, shaggy fur, which keeps them warm in winter. While called "black," they can be blue-gray, blue-black, brown, cinnamon, blonde, or even very rarely white! Smaller than grizzly bears, they are still strong and agile. With strong, curved claws, black bears excel at climbing trees and digging for food. Their curious nature often leads them to explore their habitats. Our bear goes into hibernation around Thanksgiving and wakes up about three months later, so if you don’t see her, she may be hibernating!

Did you Know?

Medical research on the metabolic pathways that black bears use to survive lengthy periods of hibernation is yielding new insight into treatments for kidney failure, gallstones, severe burns, and other illnesses.