American Black Bears In All Their Glory
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Contents at a Glance
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Ursidae
Genus: Ursus
Species: U. americanus
Binomial name
Ursus americanus
Pallas, 1780
From Wikipedia
Conservation Status - U.S.
Defenders of Wildlife
Conservation Status
Black Bear Description
The American black bear which is found only in North America is fairly small. In fact it is the smallest of the 3 bear species found in North America standing only 2 to 3 feet at the shoulders and 4 to 7 feet long (nose to tip of the tail). They usually weigh between 150 and 300 pounds, however, some males have been found at 500 to 600 lbs. Females are smaller.Their fur is usually uniform in color but they sport a brown muzzle and sometimes have light markings on their chests.
In the East, the bears are usually black in color while in the west, the bear populations often have brown, cinnamon, and blond coloration in addition to black.
The black bears that have cream/white fur are known as Kermode or Spirit bear or Ghost Bears, a subspecies. These bears are found only in coastal British Columbia, Canada.
They usually life between 20 and 25 years in the wild.
What is a Black Bear's Range?
The American black bear is found throughout America including Canada, the United States and Mexico.In Canada, they inhabit the forested areas where they have historically lived. The only exception is where the land is heavily farmed.
In the United States their habitats have dwindled because of human populations have moved into their habitat. They are now restricted to the less populated forested areas.
Black bears used to inhabit the northern mountains of Mexico. There are now only a few scattered populations of bear.
How do Black Bears Breed?
The size of a female black bear is the determining factor on when she will have her first litter. Some can become pregnant as young as 2-1/2 and others as old as 10 years.The bears mate in late May or June. The egg does not immediately implant in the uterus, instead floating around until November at which time, they implant that is IF the bear has gained enough weight to sustain the pregnancy.
In January, 2 to 5 cubs are born. And, yes, the mother is still in their den hibernating but she actively takes care of here cubs. She cleans them by licking them and aligns them with her teats. They remain in the den for until April, growing all the while.
What Black Bears Eat
Black bears are omnivorous. They eat salmon and will occasionally kill moose calves and young deer. They also eat plants, fruits, nuts and insects. Like all bears, they love honey. Black Bears and Hibernation
Black bears will pick out a shallow depression in the earth, under logs or in hollowed-out trees or dig a den to hibernate during the winter.In the past, the type of hibernation black bears do was not considered a true hibernation because their body temperature does not drop appreciably.
Black bears and brown bears are now both considered hibernators because mammalian hibernation now takes other factor into consideration such as they go up to 7-1/2 months without eating, drinking, urinating, or defecating.
Upon waking, they forage for new shoots and any animals they find that were killed due to the cold. This helps them build their strength quickly.
Black Bear vs. Brown Bears (Grizzlies)
Black bears are smaller in stature than brown bears. Although some may have similiar coloring to Brown Bears, Black Bears are a smaller bear.Also, black bears have no shoulder hump and their ears are both larger and stand straighter than ears on brown bears.
Confrontations between Brown bears and black bears are rare because Brown bears prefer open spaces, whereas brown bears prefer forested or shrubby areas. Brown bears are also nocturnal and Black bears are diurnal so they don't run into each other often.
When there is a confrontation, Brown bears have an advantage of size over the black bear.
National Wildlife Federation
Protecting Bears and The Environment
When I discovered the problems facing bears, I looked for an organization that I could work with to help save them. I found the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). Their mission is to protect wildlife for our children's future, connect people with nature and to confront global warming.I am proud to be a member of NWF and to support them in their efforts to save Bears and other animals from extinction.
The NWF is also helping to lead a nationwide grassroots effort to protect the Arctic Refuge. For more information on this click NWF-Arctic Refuge. Or, for membership information, click NWF Membership.
Black bear with 5 cubs!
For his story about his encounter and more photos, click Black bear.
Sub-Species -- Kermode Bear aka Spirit Bear aka Ghost Bear
Because this sub-species is so unique and endangered, I have created a separate lens that explores them with more information, photos, videos and organizations helping to save them.
To go there, click Spirit Bear
Kermode Bear aka Spirit Bear aka Ghost Bear
Black Bear Caption Contest
What is this bear thinking?
1
How long do you have to wait to get some service round here?!
7 points
2
Am I early?
4 points
3
Have you lost something?
2 points
4
What if you throw a party and nobody comes?
2 points
5
Where's the food?
1 point
6
Do I LOOK hungry?
1 point
7
Looking Friend?
1 point
8
I always say, "Good food is worth waiting for!"...
1 point
9
at a job interview with the forest Ranger :)
1 point
Black Bears Can Climb
Black Bear Doing High Wire Trick
For more photos of this bear's high-wire act, click Black Bear High Wire Act-Photos
Organizations Helping Black Bears
1
Polar Bear: Grizzly Bear, Panda, Kodiak, Brown, Sun and Black Bears
Polar Bear with Grizzly Bear, Panda, Kodiak, Sun, more...1 point
2
National Wildlife Federation
National Wildlife Federation's (NWF) mission is to more...1 point
3
Large Bird Feeder
Getting a larger bird feeder and adding it to your more...1 point
4
.: BLACK BEAR CONSERVATION COMMITTEE :. - Home
The mission of the (BBCC) is to promote the restor more...0 points
5
Managing Wildlife Damage: Black Bears
The black bear is a large mammal with powerful lim more...0 points
6
Black Bear - Defenders of Wildlife
A fact sheet about black bears. Black bears are en more...0 points
7
Bear To Dream.Org
Second Chance Bear Rescue. objective is to educate more...0 points
Great Black Bear Resources For More Info
1
American Black Bear - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) is the more...0 points
2
Black Bear Facts
Contains facts about nearly every aspect of black more...0 points
3
Ursus Americanus (American Black Bear)
Contains classification information, diet, habitat more...0 points
4
Black Bear, Black Bear Profile, Facts, Information, Photos ...
Get black bear profile, facts, information, photos more...0 points
5
Black Bear: Wildlife Notebook Series - Alaska Department of Fish ...
Description of Black Bears in the Alaska Departmen more...0 points
6
American Black Bear Printout- EnchantedLearning.com
American Black Bears are large, mostly harmless be more...0 points
7
The Bear Facts
The amount of bears that are in need of rehabilita more...0 points
Interesting Books On Black Bears
Here are some great books on Black Bears. Let people know which you think are the best by voting for your favorite book. It's okay to vote for more than 1. And, you can add a another one from Amazon or take a copy of this list. If you add one, don't forget to vote for it!
1
Living With Bears: A Practical Guide to Bear Country by Linda Masterson
Colorado author Linda Masterson dispels myths, rep more...0 points
3
Among the Bears: Raising Orphaned Cubs in the Wild by Benjamin Kilham, Ed Gray
In the spring of 1993, Benjamin Kilham, a naturalist more...0 points
4
Bears : Polar Bears, Black Bears and Grizzly Bears (Kids Can Press Wildlife Series) by Deborah Hodge
The eating habits of bears is one of fourteen topi more...0 points
5
Black Bears (Our Wild World Series) by Kathy Feeny
Every title contains: -Where the animal lives, wha more...0 points
6
Beauty Within the Beast: Kinship With Bears in the Alaska Wilderness by Stephen Stringham
An innocent act of kindness turns a bear into a da more...0 points
7
Black Bears: A Natural History by Dave Taylor
In 1990 author, naturalist and photographer Dave Taylor more...0 points
8
In the Company of Wild Bears: A Celebration of Backcountry Grizzlies and Black Bears by Howard Smith
Real-life human-bear encounters with black bears, more...0 points
9
Big Black Bear by Wong Herbert Yee
When Big Black Bear shows up at the Brown Brick Ho more...0 points
Black Bears in the News
- Man Saves Black Bear From Drowning, with video
- The Florida wildlife commission official jumped into the Gulf of Mexico to help the animal, who'd wandered into a neighborhood, then been hit by a tranquilzer dart and bolted into the water.
- Water-rescued bear spotted again, taken to zoo
- Water-rescued bear spotted again, taken to wildlife refuge...
- Alaska's leaders look to wipe out more species of wildlife - Digital Journal: Your News Network
- Under recent scrutiny for their wolf hunting and seal bashing practices, Alaska is now on the chopping block of condemnation for its eradication of the black bear.
- North Carolina Zoo Guests Can Explore Life as a Bear and Later Catch the Buzz on Bees Zoo and Aquarium Visitor News
- The North Carolina Zoo will hold the first of four June weekend celebrations of bears?and bees--Saturday, June 6, in the park, when guests can explore life as a bear and later catch the buzz on bees.
- California Black Bears Need Your Help
- The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) has proposed a dramatic increase in the number of California black bears that may be killed by trophy hunters. The Department also proposes allowing the use of high-tech equipment on bear-hunting hounds. There has been no demonstrated need for these changes, other than to allow more recreational hunting opportunities. Please contact DFG immediately and urge them to resist changes to current bear hunting policy.
Glacier Bear
My Other Bear Lenses
Member of Save Our Bears (SOB)
Save Our Bears is a list of lenses devoted to help change the plight all of the 8 bear species through awareness and fund raising.The lenses show the wonderful nature of bears and many will, at the same time, shine a spotlight on the dangers bears face including: trophy hunters, gall bladder and bile farming, pollution, bear baiting, global warming, and habitat destruction.
You'll also find fun lenses on great polar bear movies, books, teddy bears, even cartoon and toy bears.
Click Save Our Bears (SOB) to see lenses about bears.
Black Bear Cub up a tree
How you can support National Wildlife Federation's
Alaska Natural Resource Center
NWF and their Alaska Natural Resource Center are leading a nationwide grassroots effort to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).Their campaigns address the issue of climate change and its effect on polar bears from many angles, including clean energy, sustainable tourism, youth conservation leadership, reversing nature deficit, and protecting wildlife from global warming through adaptive management of habitat.
For more information on NWF click NWF-Arctic Refuge. Or, for membership information, click NWF Membership.
For the Alaska Natural Resource Center's office, click Alaska Resource Center.
To make a lens now, click
Guest book For Reader Feedback
Please use this guestbook to let me know if something is missing or could be done better. I can't bear to disappoint you!
Bear hugs, Frankie
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poddys
Feb 4, 2012 @ 4:00 am | delete
- This is an amazing resource on American Black Bears, excellent job. The baby bears are so cute. Blessed.
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KimGiancaterino Nov 11, 2011 @ 8:12 pm | delete
- Oh, those baby bears are just the cutest ever! No wonder you love bears so much.
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Jewelsofawe
Apr 21, 2011 @ 12:08 am | delete
- I love the bear sitting at the picnic table! Too cute! Love this lens and where your heart lies with animals! Many blessings!
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RenaissanceWoman2010
Apr 14, 2011 @ 7:08 pm | delete
- I really enjoyed learning about the black bears here. I've got black bears that live nearby. They occasionally come through my property. The very first weekend that I lived here I was within 16 feet of a sow and her cub! Pretty amazing.
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imolaK
Apr 11, 2011 @ 12:33 am | delete
- This is a nice and very informative lens. Blessed!
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Copyright 2008-2012 Frankie Kangas All rights reserved.
by Frankster
Hi. I'm Frankie Kangas, aka Frankster, Bearmeister. I love animals, especially bears and cats -- both domestics and big cats. I'm a Calvin and Hobbes and... more »
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Everything you wanted to know about Black Bears
Black Bear: North America's Bear
Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 02/15/2012)
An excellent book for anyone interested in knowing more about black bears, their habits, features, and habitat.
Nothing's cuter than a Webkinz Black Bear
Makes a great gift
Webkinz Smaller Signature Black Bear
Amazon Price: $8.95 (as of 02/15/2012)
This is a beautiful way way to display your photos.
Rustic Wood-Carved Black Bear Photo Album (Real Wood), 5x7, 8-inch
Amazon Price: $17.95 (as of 02/15/2012)
