Characteristics
Wt 200-500 lb (90-227 kg); Shoulder Ht. 30"-40" (76-101 cm); Length 54"-60" (137-185 cm). The Black Bear is smaller than the grizzly bear. Its back is straight (no hump). It has a pointed nose, straight face profile, and large erect ears. The Western black bear varies in color from pale-cinnamon to black. The Eastern black bear is black with a brown muzzle and can have a white blaze on its chest. The adult black bear is the only North American bear that can climb trees (grizzly cubs but not adults can climb trees). The black bear is a powerful swimmer and can run up to 30 mph (48 kph). The black bear is omniverous, hibernates, is solitary (except a sow with cubs) and is most active at night, dusk and dawn. The female is about 25 percent smaller than the male.
Habitat
The black bear in eastern North America primarily inhabits forests and swamps. In the West it is seen in forests and wooded mountains usually not higher than 7,500' (2286 m).
Distribution
Most of Canada except the high arctic, Alaska and south along the West Coast of the United States through northern California. They are also found in the U.S. Rocky Mountain states south to Mexico, the Great Lakes region, New England, Appalachia and Ozarks, most of Florida and the adjacent Gulf Coast west to southern Louisiana.
Material from GreatLodge.com.
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