The Black Bear
by Dan
The Black Bear
by Dan
The American black bear is the smallest North American bear.
The common name of the black bear is the American black bear and the scientific name is Ursus americanus.
The American black bear lives in forests in the east. Black bears are 5 and a half feet in length; height at the shoulders is 3 feet, and weight is upto 3500 pounds. The black phase is more common in the east, cinnamon in the west, blue in some parts of Alaska. The American black bear has a long snout, a brown face, white blaze on the chest, rounded front claws, and no hump on their shoulders.
The American black bears are omnivores which means that they eat plants and animals. The bear's niche is that it helps keep the insect and rodent population down. American black bears feed on animal flesh, fish, carrion (dead animals), fruits, and berries. The only thing that eats the American black bear is the human.
The American black bear mates from June to early July. The black bear litter is usually from 1-5 babies which come in twins and triplets. The American black bears are born from January to early February usually every other year. Black bears mate during their third year, with most producing one cub the first winter. While the mother black bear sleeps in the den, the almost naked newborns nestle in her fur. The mother often lies on her back or side to nurse, but sometimes she sits on her haunches, with the cubs perched on her lap, almost like human infants. Young American black bears weigh a half pound at birth.
In the winter, the American black bear makes its den under a rocky ledge or fallen log.
All North American black bears breed or mate in the late spring. The American black bears stay together far a couple of weeks during mating but after become solitary (live alone). The American black bears defend themselves from humans by climbing up trees or charging at the attacker.
The American black bear gives a lot of services to humanity. The American black bears are food for people in the wilderness and the fur is used for coats, shoes, and bags. They are also used for movies. There was a movie called "The Edge" where a bear tries to kill people.
The American black bear may be the smallest bear in North America but to me it is definitely the most interesting.
John Whitaker Jr., The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mammals, Chanticleer Press Edition, New York, 1980