Mammal
American Black Bear
Ursus americanusAlso 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.
OmnivoreMammalForest Dweller
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyBerries, Acorns, Insects
Predators
- Grizzly Bear
- Cougar
- Wolf
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, vehicle collisions, illegal poaching, and human conflict
HabitatsTemperate forests, coniferous woodlands, mountain ranges, and forested wetlands
Life span15–25 years in the wild
Classification
- OrderCarnivora
- FamilyUrsidae
- GenusUrsus
- SpeciesUrsus americanus
Native
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Large powerful mammal; keep a safe distance and secure all scented items in bear-proof containers.
- Why it is dangerous
- Massive muscular build and sharp claws can inflict severe blunt trauma or lacerations during defensive strikes.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Distinguished by a straight facial profile, large prominent ears, and the absence of a distinct shoulder hump.
- What to do
- Back away slowly without running, keep your eyes on the animal, and speak in a calm, firm voice.
Responsible observation
- Food Storage: Secure garbage and food in certified bear-resistant canisters or bear poles while camping.
- Surprise Encounters: Stand tall, talk calmly, and back away slowly without running or turning your back.
- Cub Precautions: Never step between a mother bear and her cubs under any circumstances.
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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The Forest Floor
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