American Black Bear

Also known as Black Bear

American black bears wander North American woodlands as versatile foragers, relying on keen hearing and an exceptional sense of smell to track down seasonal food sources like berries, nuts, and insects. During autumn hyperphagia, adults consume up to twenty thousand calories daily to build thick fat reserves before retreating into winter dens for several months of dormant slumber. Though naturally shy and solitary, individuals readily adapt to human presence when improperly stored garbage or bird feeders offer easy calories.