BLACK BEAR
Journal by Running Deer The Black Bear is in the Ursidae Family. Other members of this family include the grissly, the Alaskan brown, and the polar. It is the smallest of the North American bears, but is still a very large animal. A male generally weighs up to 500 lbs, and some have been found over 800lbs. They are about 6 feet long and 2 to 3 feet high. The females are smaller. Usually they are black, but they can also be cinnamon (western U.S.) and white (British Colombia, Canada). Black Bears can be found in much of the U.S. (not in the plains states) and in almost all of Canada. They live in woods and swamps. They are omnivores, they will eat almost anything. This includes, nuts, berries, insects, honey, eggs, other animals, and human garbage. Their great sense of smell tells them where to find food.They are mostly nocturnal, although they are around during the day too. In cold climates they will hibernate for several months. In warm climates they hibernate far less, or not at all. Their den can be a handy cave, a protected rock ledge, a hole under a tree, or a human structure. This big and powerful mammal has few, if any, natural enemies. Most deaths are the result of human hunters. I remember tracking a black bear one time through mud and snow patches. It was easy to see it's five toes and large claws. I was amazed how much it's track looked like a big human track, only much wider. Then I said to myself, "Hmm...big dangerous animal, just emerged from hibernation, probably hungry, or at least in a bad mood..." It was time to head in the opposite direction! |