Mammal · GBIF taxon 2433407
American Black Bear
Ursus americanusAlso known as Black Bear
American black bears excel at climbing trees and possess an extraordinary sense of smell that can detect food miles away. Despite their name, their thick coats range from jet black to dark brown, cinnamon, blonde, and even rare blue-grey shades. They spend late summer and autumn foraging relentlessly to build fat reserves before entering winter dens for months of torpor.
MammalOmnivoreForest Wildlife
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Berries and Nuts
- Insects and Larvae
- Fish and Small Mammals
Predators
- Grizzly Bear
- Wolf
- Cougar
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, vehicle strikes, and human-wildlife conflict over food attractants
HabitatsDeciduous and coniferous forests, swamps, alpine meadows, and brushlands
Life span20 to 30 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyUrsidae
- SpeciesUrsus americanus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Capable of severe injury if cornered or defending cubs; keep a safe distance and store food in bear-resistant containers.
- Why it is dangerous
- Possesses immense physical strength, powerful jaws, and sharp claws capable of inflicting fatal injuries when defending cubs or food.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a straight facial profile, tall rounded ears, short curved claws, and no pronounced shoulder hump.
- What to do
- Never approach or feed bears; carry bear spray, make noise while hiking, and back away slowly if encountered.
Responsible observation
- Food Storage: Keep campsite food, trash, and toiletries locked inside bear-proof canisters or hard-sided vehicles.
- Trail Etiquette: Make steady noise by talking or clapping when hiking through dense brush to avoid startling a bear.
- Safe Encounters: If you meet a black bear, stand your ground, raise your arms to look large, and speak calmly while backing away.
Frequent Companion Mount Rainier National Park from Ashford, WA, United States / Public domain · cc0
Close Relative (c) Nathan Ruser, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Nathan Ruser · cc-by
Close Relative Alan Wilson / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative "Asiatic Black Bear {Ursus thibetanus}" by Drew Avery is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
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