American Black Bear

Color: range from black to brown, cinnamon, beige, blonde, silver gray, pure white
Distinguishing Marks: often has a white, star-shaped mark on its chest
Height (at shoulder): 2.5-3 feet
Weight: 150-600 lbs.
Claws: 5 non-retractable on front paws, each about 3-5 inches long
Teeth: 42, including 4 large canines
Speed: up to 35 mph
Food Intake: up to 45 lbs./day
Food Sources: mostly berries, acorns, succulent herbs, fish, carrion, and insects
Male: "boar"
Female: "sow"

Habitat
The American black bear lives in a wide range of habitats, including forest, scrub forests of the subarctic, and near jungle. It also ranges onto the open tundra and plains along streams. Black bears are the most abundant of the species of bears.

Hibernation
Contrary to common belief, black bears do not "hibernate" but rather have a "dormant" season. True hibernators wake up every 4-10 days to void bodily waste and occassionally feed and then return to their dens where they are difficult to arouse. Due to a unique physiological adaptation, black bears, on the other hand, are able to somehow recycle toxins in their bodies enabling them to actually lie dormant for months at a time unless disturbed (and they are very easily disturbed).

The black bear hibernates for between five and seven months each year. The preferred sites for winter dens include small caves, crevices, geological features or beneath deadfalls or blowdowns. The females typically hibernate longer than the males, especially while suckling cubs, retiring earlier in the fall and leaving later in the spring.

Breeding
Female American black bears often do not give birth to their first young until they are five or six years old, and they usually do not have more than two cubs every second or third year. They may bear young until they are about 25 years of age. Because most American black bears do not live beyond ten years of age, and because juvenile mortality is rather high, many females barely replace themselves in the population. The cubs purr when fed and cry when hungry or cold. Adults huff and growl, roar, and chomp their teeth as warnings to other bears or to people.

Black bear males and females come together only during breeding season. A female may mate with several males during a short estrus period and cubs from the same litter may have different fathers.

Behavior
Black bears are agile climbersand will often climb trees to avoid danger. They are also good swimmers and can run up to 35 miles per hour. They usually avoid open areas and prefer the protective cover of trees and thickets. Black bears are alert, solitary creatures, with highly developed a sense of smell. They have a "moderate" sense of hearing, and eyesight little better than humans.

Black bear body language is mainly limited to the head. Walking with head held below the shoulders is an indicator of some type of agressive behavior. Snarling, opening and closing the mouth rapidly while salivating, bearing teeth and making chomping noises often indicate a agitated bear (in case you couldn't guess). they will often stand up on their hind legs not to attack but out of curiosity and to get a better look or smell. (Don't panic should you see this.)

Unprovoked attacks on humans by black bears are very rare. Injuries usually occur when people attempt to pet or approach a bear they were feeding or photographing.

Before the hike

Contact the local ranger station, wildlife agency or park headquarters for information about bear activity in the area and information about policies and recommendations.

Familiarize yourself with bear behavior and signs of bear presence.

During the hike

Keep all of your clothes and gear free from food odors.

Avoid packing odorous food.

Avoid fragrant cosmetics or sunscreens

Use bear-proof containers, double backing and other airtight methods for sealing in odors that might otherwise attract a bear.

Don't let children stray or run ahead.

Remain on the trail.

Don't hike at night

Use bear bells, singing or occassional clapping to advertise your presence to potential bears in the area.

Practice the rules of Leave No Trace

Exercise extreme caution upwind in high wind conditions, approaching blind curves, dense vegetation and noisy streams as you may surprise a bear.

Circling birds and/or offensive odors may indicate an animal carcass and therefore the presence of a bear. Avoid such areas with extreme caution.

Never leave your backpack or food unattended.

BEAR ENCOUNTER GUIDELINES: if a bear approaches you, STAY CALM ABSOLUTELY DO NOT RUN (running may elicit a chase response by the bear) pick up small children so they don’t run, scream or panic gather the group together and restrain your dog let the bear know you are human; talk in a soothing voice; lift arms overhead to look bigger slowly back away and avoid direct eye contact with the bear if the bear lunges, snaps his jaws, slaps ground or brush with paw, he feels threatened-you are too close the bear may also suddenly rush forward and stop as a “bluffing” tactic to intimidate you to leave; momentarily hold your ground, then keep backing away and talking softly don’t crowd the bear; leave him a clear escape route retreat from the area or make a very wide detour around the bear if he continues to follow you, stand your ground and yell, clap your hands, wave your arms, or throw something toward him - repeat until he leaves as a last resort - drop something like a hat to distract him but avoid tossing him food or your backpack as he will quickly learn to confront other humans for food rewards CAMPING: choose an open site AWAY from dense vegetation, natural food areas, forest cover, or natural pathways avoid messy sites and areas with bear sign: torn apart logs, tracks, trampled brush, scat, claw marks on trees secure all scented items by hanging at least 10 feet off ground and 5 feet from tree restrict all cooking, eating, cleaning activities and food storage to 100 feet downwind from tents do not sleep outside of tent or with any “smellables” in your tent including empty food wrappers NEVER LEAVE ANY FOOD SCRAPS OR GARBAGE OUT wash dishes and utensils immediately - dispose of any waste water downwind, 100 feet from sleeping area always use flashlight and extra caution when moving around at night wash dishes and utensils immediately - dispose of any waste water downwind, 100 feet from sleeping area store all food and odorous attractants (including garbage and cooking clothes) in sealed bags or in airtight canister BE A COURTEOUS GUEST, RESPECT THE WILDLIFE & THEIR HABITAT; LEAVE NO TRACE!

 

Black Bear Facts Did you know that although they are called black bears, colors can range from black to cinnamon brown, silver-blue and, occasionally, even white? The white bears are called “Spirit” or “Kermode” bears. Ten Fast Facts About Black Bears 1. eat mostly berries, nuts, grasses, carrion, and insect larvae 2. have color vision and a keen sense of smell 3. are good tree climbers and swimmers 4. very intelligent and curious 5. can run up to 35 miles per hour 6. weigh an average of 125 to 600 pounds 7. go without food for up to 7 months during hibernation in northern ranges 8. usually give birth to 2 to 3 cubs during the mother’s sleep every other year 9. can live over 25 years in the wild 10. are typically shy and easily frightened Habitat Preservation Black bears have lost over 60% of their historical range. As human encroachment increases, preserving large areas of undeveloped land where bears and other animals can thrive is extremely critical. Crucial components include adequate sources of food and water, denning sites such as rock crevices, hollow trees, and dense vegetation, contiguous travel corridors with sufficient cover for protection from poachers, harassment, and associated dangers from human development. Avoiding “nuisance” encounters in Bear Country Black bears are highly intelligent and adaptable. This species has the greatest capacity to live in close proximity to people. Unfortunately, many bears are shot needlessly because of unfounded fear and human carelessness. Led by a keen sense of smell, bears will naturally gravitate to potential food sources found in unsecured garbage, bird feeders, orchards, farm crops, beehives, outside pet food, and organic compost piles. FOOD AND FEAR DRIVE BLACK BEAR BEHAVIOR. Therefore: Properly store or secure all odorous food/non-food items. Use plastic bags to seal in odors and store garbage inside building. Use electric fences around hives, orchards, and compost piles. Attach spill pans to bird feeders and hang out of reach (10 feet up). Clear away dense brush and protective cover from yard. Don’t surprise a bear; black bears tend to be nervous and easily frightened. They can cause injury if suddenly startled, cornered, or provoked. Warn a bear you are coming by occasionally clapping or using bells. Use caution when hiking in windy weather, downwind, along streams, through dense vegetation or natural food areas, and when approaching blind curves where a bear may not hear, see, or smell you. Should you encounter a black bear Stay calm - DO NOT RUN (running may elicit a chase response by the bear). Pick up children so they don’t run or scream; restrain dog; avoid eye contact and talk in soothing voice. If the bear stands up, he is NOT going to attack but is curious and wants a better sniff or view. Back away slowly; if bear chomps jaw, lunges, or slaps ground or brush with paw, he is feeling threatened. Slowly retreat from area or make wide detour around bear; don’t crowd or block bear’s escape route. Note: Bear attacks on humans are extremely rare. A person is 180 times more likely to be killed by a bee and 160,000 times more likely to die in a car accident. Most injuries from black bears occur when people try to feed, pet, or crowd them. Bears will nip or cuff bad-mannered humans, as they will bad-mannered bears. They are very strong and powerful animals; bears should always be treated with caution and respect. Information prepared by: Andrea Hess – Volunteer of THE AMERICAN BEAR ASSOCIATION

 

Yosemite Black Bears and their Management Yosemite National Park is the home of a large and healthy bear population. Unfortunately, their natural behavior, foraging habits, distribution, and numbers have been altered by access to human food in the park. Bears habituated to these unnatural foods all too often lose their instinctive fear of humans. They become aggressive and can cause extensive damage to motor vehicles, trailers, tents, ice chests, and other camping equipment while searching for human food. Research Management decisions affecting the bear population must be based on sound biological and ecological information. An intensive research program was initiated in 1974 to gain information on the food habits, movements, and birth rates of Yosemite black bears. Human/black bear interaction and the effectiveness of aversion conditioning were studied in 1978. Research evaluating the effects of the bear management program on the sex and age composition and reproductive rates of black bears was completed in 1990. Such information is vital for formulating and updating programs designed to restore, preserve, and maintain a natural black bear population. The result of these programs may be that the park visitors will see fewer bears in developed areas, but a healthy, natural population of truly wild black bears will exist as they have for thousands of years - an integral part of the natural ecosystem.

American Bear Association
Microsoft Encarta
Rolling Hills Refuge
National Park Service