Black Bear

The American black bear (Ursus americanus) is the smallest and most widely distributed bear species native to North America. They typically live in forests and are excellent tree climbers. Despite their name, black bears can be blue-gray or blue-black, brown, cinnamon, or even (very rarely) white.

Solitary animals, black bears roam large territories, though they do not protect them from other bears. Males might wander a 15- to 80-square-mile home range.

Black bears are very opportunistic omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. Most of their diet consists of grasses, roots, berries, and insects, but they will also eat fish and mammals—including carrion—and easily develop a taste for human foods and garbage.

Female black bears give birth to two or three blind, helpless cubs in mid-winter and nurse them in the den until spring, when all emerge in search of food. The cubs will stay with their very protective mother for about two years.