American Black Bears In All Their Glory

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Get all the facts about American Black Bears here

Here you'll get facts, photos, videos of the American Black Bear in all their glory. There are also informational links for organizations who study them, photograph them or fight to save them.

As you can see by the cub in this photo, Black bearscome in brown, cinnamon, and they even have a subspecies, known as the Kermode bear aka Spirit bear that is found in British Columbia, Canada, where 1 out of every 10 are cream/white in color.

So, scroll down the page and look at all the great stuff on Black Bears. And come back often as I'll be adding more "stuff". They don't call me Bearmeister for nothing!

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

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 Photo Gallery 

My favorite bear photos are by ucumari on Flickr. These are just a few. Click ucumari to see her complete polar bear set.


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.

Conservation Status

Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)


From Wikipedia

Conservation Status - U.S.

"Listed as a threatened subspecies in Louisiana, eastern Texas and southern Mississippi under the federal Endangered Species Act. In 4 others they are state-listed as rare, threatened or endangered (Lousiana, Florida and within the historic range of black bears in southern Mississippi and eastern Texas). The Florida black bear subspecies is listed as threatened by the state of Florida."

Defenders of Wildlife

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! 

It is virtually unheard of for a black bear to have 5 cubs at one time. Tom Sears, a professional photographer, found one and took pictures of her family over a period of time.



For his story about his encounter and more photos, click Black bear.

Sub-Species -- Kermode Bear aka Spirit Bear aka Ghost Bear 

Below is a photo of a Kermode Bear. This bear is a cream/white and usually found in British Columbia, Canada.

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

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!

Living With Bears: A Practical Guide to Bear Country by Linda Masterson

Living With Bears: A Practical Guide to Bear Country by Linda Masterson

Colorado author Linda Masterson dispels myths, rep more...0 points

Among the Bears: Raising Orphaned Cubs in the Wild by Benjamin Kilham, Ed Gray

Among the Bears: Raising Orphaned Cubs in the Wild by Benjamin Kilham, Ed Gray

In the spring of 1993, Benjamin Kilham, a naturali more...0 points

Bears : Polar Bears, Black Bears and Grizzly Bears (Kids Can Press Wildlife Series) by Deborah Hodge

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

Black Bears (Our Wild World Series) by Kathy Feeny

Black Bears (Our Wild World Series) by Kathy Feeny

Every title contains: -Where the animal lives, wha more...0 points

Beauty Within the Beast: Kinship With Bears in the Alaska Wilderness by Stephen Stringham

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

Black Bears: A Natural History by Dave Taylor

Black Bears: A Natural History by Dave Taylor

In 1990 author, naturalist and photographer Dave T more...0 points

In the Company of Wild Bears: A Celebration of Backcountry Grizzlies and Black Bears by Howard Smith

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

Big Black Bear by Wong Herbert Yee

Big Black Bear by Wong Herbert Yee

When Big Black Bear shows up at the Brown Brick Ho more...0 points

New YouTube vids 


BLACK BEAR UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL!!!!

Runtime: 2:49
22770 views
10 Comments:


Alaskan Black Bear In Our Car

Runtime: 3:56
50050 views
10 Comments:


FUNNY VIDEO OF BLACK BEAR IN HAMMOCK

Runtime: 0:57
61888 views
10 Comments:

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.

Glacier Bear

My Other Bear Lenses 

Member of Save Our Bears (SOB) Group 

Save Our Bears is a group 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 go to the group page.

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

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Bear hugs, Frankie

ElizabethJeanAllen wrote...

Wonderful lens!
Thanks for sharing
Lizzy

ReplyPosted May 14, 2009

QueSea wrote...

Wow. Great photographs. It looks like our neck of the woods here in Northern Michigan.

ReplyPosted January 05, 2009

naturegirl7 wrote...

Welcome to the Naturally Native Squids group. Don't forget to add your lens links to the appropriate plexos and vote for them.

ReplyPosted October 25, 2008

chefkeem wrote...

A hearty SquidAngel Blessing for my favorite bruins.

ReplyPosted October 06, 2008

Do I look wild and dangerous?

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Copyright 2008 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...

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