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In a moss-draped rain forest in British Columbia, towering red cedars live a thousand years, and black bears are born with white fur.

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Black Bear

Ursus americanus

Status: Not Listed

Description

Not all black bears are black-their fur can range in color from pure white to a cinnamon color to very dark brown or black. Most populations have a mixture of these colors, including the pure white form, which is found in some individuals in the island archipelago in southern British Columbia (Kermodi Island). This white black bear (called a spirit bear, revered by Native Americans) is caused by a recessive gene from both the mother and the father. Genes can also result in the light gray coat color of the blue bear, or glacier bear, in southeastern Alaska.

Despite these genetic variants, most of the bears in any region are black in color. Some bears have a white patch on their chests. They have a short, inconspicuous tail, longish ears, a relatively straight profile from nose to forehead, and small, dark eyes. There are several ways to tell a black bear from a grizzly bear. Black bears and grizzly bears can both have a wide variety of colors and sizes, but most commonly in areas where both species occur, black bears are smaller and darker than grizzly bears. Black bears have longer and less rounded ears and a more straight profile from forehead to nose compared to grizzly bears. Grizzly bears have larger shoulder humps and a more dished-in facial profile and much longer front claws that are evident in the tracks.

Black bears in some areas where food is scarce are much smaller than in other areas where food is abundant. Typically adults are three feet tall at the shoulder, and their length from nose to tail is about 75 inches. All bears, including black bears, are sexually dimorphic-meaning adult males are much larger than adult females. A large male black bear can exceed 600 pounds in weight, while females seldom exceed 200 pounds.

Range

The American black bear's range covers most of the North American continent. They are found in Alaska, much of Canada and the contiguous United States, and extend as far south as northern Mexico. Because of their versatile diet, black bears can live in a variety of habitat types. They inhabit both coniferous and deciduous forests, as well as open alpine habitats. They typically don't occur on the Great Plains or other wide-open areas, except along river courses where there is riparian vegetation and trees. They can live just about anywhere they can find food, but largely occur where there are trees.

Diet

American black bears are omnivorous, meaning they will eat a variety of things, including both plants and meat. Their diet includes roots, berries, meat, fish, insects, larvae, grass, and other succulent plants. They are able to kill adult deer and other hoofed wildlife but most commonly are only able to kill deer, elk, moose, and other hoofed animals when the prey are very young. They are able to kill livestock, especially sheep. Bears are very attracted to human garbage, livestock food or pet food, or other human-associated foods like fruit trees. Bears using these human-associated foods can quickly become habituated to them and this commonly results in the bears being killed as nuisances. This is true for bee hives as well, as bears are very attracted to honey.

Life History

Black bears are typically solitary creatures, except for family (a female with cubs) groups and during mating season, which peaks in May and June. Following fertilization, the embryo doesn't implant in the uterus until fall, at the time of den entrance. This process of delayed implantation occurs in all bear species and allows the female bear's body to physiologically "assess" her condition before implantation occurs and the period of gestation leading to the birth of cubs really begins. Delayed implantation allows the female to not waste fat reserves and energy in sustaining a pregnancy that would have little chance of success because her condition is too poor. Females give birth to cubs every other year if food sources are sufficiently plentiful. In years when food supplies are scarce, a female may skip an additional year or two between litters. The cubs are born in the mother's winter den, and will den with her again the following winter. The following spring, when the cubs are one and a half years old, the cubs and female will separate and the female will breed again. A black bear litter can have one to five cubs, but most commonly litters contain two cubs. Black bears can live up to 30 years in the wild, but most die before they are in their early 20s.

Conservation

The American black bear is not currently a species of conservation concern and even the formerly listed black bear of Florida and Louisiana is now increasing. Habitats in western Texas, from which black bears were extirpated, are now being recolonized.

Conservation efforts for black bears have been effective and, in most areas, black bears are increasing and can sustain managed sport hunting. In areas with human populations, this can cause conflicts because bears are very attracted to human foods and refuse, as well as to livestock and livestock foods. Since bears are large and strong animals, many people fear them and resent the damage they can cause. The key to successful coexistence between humans and bears is to recognize that it is no longer possible for either species to occupy all habitats, but that where co-occupancy is possible and desirable, humans must be responsible for the welfare of the bear population. Wild areas with little human footprint will remain the most important habitat for bears, but peaceful coexistence can occur in the urban-wildland interface as long as humans take the necessary steps to assure that the relationship remains a positive one.

Fun Fact

Black bears have relatively short claws, which enable them to climb trees. Unlike cats, the claws are non-retractable.

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Black Bear | National Wildlife Federation

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Ursus americanus Status: Not Listed Description Not all black bears are black-their fur can range in color from pure white to a cinnamon color to very dark brown or black. Most populations have a mixture of these colors, including the pure white form, which is found in some individuals in the island archipelago in southern British Columbia (Kermodi Island).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Black Bear

Ursus americanus

Status: Not Listed

Description

Not all black bears are black-their fur can range in color from pure white to a cinnamon color to very dark brown or black. Most populations have a mixture of these colors, including the pure white form, which is found in some individuals in the island archipelago in southern British Columbia (Kermodi Island). This white black bear (called a spirit bear, revered by Native Americans) is caused by a recessive gene from both the mother and the father. Genes can also result in the light gray coat color of the blue bear, or glacier bear, in southeastern Alaska.

Despite these genetic variants, most of the bears in any region are black in color. Some bears have a white patch on their chests. They have a short, inconspicuous tail, longish ears, a relatively straight profile from nose to forehead, and small, dark eyes. There are several ways to tell a black bear from a grizzly bear. Black bears and grizzly bears can both have a wide variety of colors and sizes, but most commonly in areas where both species occur, black bears are smaller and darker than grizzly bears. Black bears have longer and less rounded ears and a more straight profile from forehead to nose compared to grizzly bears. Grizzly bears have larger shoulder humps and a more dished-in facial profile and much longer front claws that are evident in the tracks.

Black bears in some areas where food is scarce are much smaller than in other areas where food is abundant. Typically adults are three feet tall at the shoulder, and their length from nose to tail is about 75 inches. All bears, including black bears, are sexually dimorphic-meaning adult males are much larger than adult females. A large male black bear can exceed 600 pounds in weight, while females seldom exceed 200 pounds.

Range

The American black bear's range covers most of the North American continent. They are found in Alaska, much of Canada and the contiguous United States, and extend as far south as northern Mexico. Because of their versatile diet, black bears can live in a variety of habitat types. They inhabit both coniferous and deciduous forests, as well as open alpine habitats. They typically don't occur on the Great Plains or other wide-open areas, except along river courses where there is riparian vegetation and trees. They can live just about anywhere they can find food, but largely occur where there are trees.

Diet

American black bears are omnivorous, meaning they will eat a variety of things, including both plants and meat. Their diet includes roots, berries, meat, fish, insects, larvae, grass, and other succulent plants. They are able to kill adult deer and other hoofed wildlife but most commonly are only able to kill deer, elk, moose, and other hoofed animals when the prey are very young. They are able to kill livestock, especially sheep. Bears are very attracted to human garbage, livestock food or pet food, or other human-associated foods like fruit trees. Bears using these human-associated foods can quickly become habituated to them and this commonly results in the bears being killed as nuisances. This is true for bee hives as well, as bears are very attracted to honey.

Life History

Black bears are typically solitary creatures, except for family (a female with cubs) groups and during mating season, which peaks in May and June. Following fertilization, the embryo doesn't implant in the uterus until fall, at the time of den entrance. This process of delayed implantation occurs in all bear species and allows the female bear's body to physiologically "assess" her condition before implantation occurs and the period of gestation leading to the birth of cubs really begins. Delayed implantation allows the female to not waste fat reserves and energy in sustaining a pregnancy that would have little chance of success because her condition is too poor. Females give birth to cubs every other year if food sources are sufficiently plentiful. In years when food supplies are scarce, a female may skip an additional year or two between litters. The cubs are born in the mother's winter den, and will den with her again the following winter. The following spring, when the cubs are one and a half years old, the cubs and female will separate and the female will breed again. A black bear litter can have one to five cubs, but most commonly litters contain two cubs. Black bears can live up to 30 years in the wild, but most die before they are in their early 20s.

Conservation

The American black bear is not currently a species of conservation concern and even the formerly listed black bear of Florida and Louisiana is now increasing. Habitats in western Texas, from which black bears were extirpated, are now being recolonized.

Conservation efforts for black bears have been effective and, in most areas, black bears are increasing and can sustain managed sport hunting. In areas with human populations, this can cause conflicts because bears are very attracted to human foods and refuse, as well as to livestock and livestock foods. Since bears are large and strong animals, many people fear them and resent the damage they can cause. The key to successful coexistence between humans and bears is to recognize that it is no longer possible for either species to occupy all habitats, but that where co-occupancy is possible and desirable, humans must be responsible for the welfare of the bear population. Wild areas with little human footprint will remain the most important habitat for bears, but peaceful coexistence can occur in the urban-wildland interface as long as humans take the necessary steps to assure that the relationship remains a positive one.

Fun Fact

Black bears have relatively short claws, which enable them to climb trees. Unlike cats, the claws are non-retractable.

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Black Bear | National Wildlife Federation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Ursus americanus Status: Not Listed Description Not all black bears are black-their fur can range in color from pure white to a cinnamon color to very dark brown or black. Most populations have a mixture of these colors, including the pure white form, which is found in some individuals in the island archipelago in southern British Columbia (Kermodi Island).

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American Black Bear ( Ursus americanus)
Also known as Black Bear or North American Black Bear
Species Code: URAM

What they look like: The American Black Bear is the most common bear native to North America. The coat of a Black Bear is shaggy and usually black but it can also be dark brown, cinnamon, or yellow-brown. Eyes are brown (blue at birth). Skin is light gray.

The black bear is about 4 to 7 feet long from nose to tail, and two to three feet high at the shoulders. It has small eyes, rounded ears, a long brown snout, a large body, and a short tail. Males weigh an average of 150-300 lbs.

Where they live: American Black Bears are found in the forested areas of Canada, USA and Mexico. They once occupied nearly all of the forested regions of North America.

Black bears live in a variety of habitat types. They are mainly found in forested areas with thick ground cover and an abundance of fruits, nuts and vegetation. During the winter they hibernate in dens.

Click on a range map to see where black bears live in Washington.

What they eat: American Black Bears are omnivores. Most of their diet is plant based. American Black Bears mainly feed on vegetation including herbs, grasses, roots, buds, shoots, honey, nuts, fruit, berries and seeds. They will also eat fish, small mammals, insects, dead animals and garbage.

In northern regions, black bears eat salmon that they catch in a stream.

Behavior: Most bears become active a half-hour before sunrise, take a nap or two during the day, and bed down for the night an hour or two after sunset. Some bears are active mainly at night to avoid people or other bears.

Black bears are considered highly efficient hibernators. They sleep for months without eating, drinking, urinating, or defecating.

Reproduction: American Black Bears are solitary animals except for mothers with cubs, during the breeding season or when they come together at feeding sites. Solitary animals live alone.

Black bears mate during the months of June and July. Cubs are born in January or February after a gestation period of 215 days. There are usually 2 - 3 cubs per litter, but litter sizes can be as large as 5.

Did you know?

Most of their diet is plant based.

Cubs stay with their mother for about 2 years to learn how to hunt and survive.

Lean bears are fast. They can run up to 30 miles per hour.

American Black Bears are good swimmers.

American Black Bear Photo by Alan Wilson, Natures Pics

Animal silhouettes available to purchase "Photos: Natures Pics
Sources:

ADW: Ursus americanus: Information
Information about the American black bear from the Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.

Black Bear Facts - WDFW - Living with Wildlife

Black Bear Facts - North American Bear Center

Home | About Us | How to Participate | Biodiversity Modules | Projects | Maps | News | Resources

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American Black Bear ( Ursus americanus) Also known as Black Bear or North American Black Bear Species Code: URAM What they look like: The American Black Bear is the most common bear native to North America. The coat of a Black Bear is shaggy and usually black but it can also be dark brown, cinnamon, or yellow-brown.

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Black bears are North America's most familiar and common bears. They typically live in forests and are excellent tree climbers, but are also found in mountains and swamps. Despite their name, black bears can be blue-gray or blue-black, brown, cinnamon, or even (very rarely) white.

Black bears are very opportunistic eaters. Most of their diet consists of grasses, roots, berries, and insects. They will also eat fish and mammals-including carrion-and easily develop a taste for human foods and garbage. Bears who become habituated to human food at campsites, cabins, or rural homes can become dangerous and are often killed-thus the frequent reminder: Please don't feed the bears!

Solitary animals, black bears roam large territories, though they do not protect them from other bears. Males might wander a 15- to 80-square-mile home range.

When winter arrives, black bears spend the season dormant in their dens, feeding on body fat they have built up by eating ravenously all summer and fall. They make their dens in caves, burrows, brush piles, or other sheltered spots-sometimes even in tree holes high above the ground. Black bears den for various lengths of time governed by the diverse climates in which they live, from Canada to northern Mexico.

Female black bears give birth to two or three blind, helpless cubs in mid-winter and nurse them in the den until spring, when all emerge in search of food. The cubs will stay with their very protective mother for about two years.

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American Black Bear | National Geographic

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Black bears are North America's most familiar and common bears. They typically live in forests and are excellent tree climbers, but are also found in mountains and swamps. Despite their name, black bears can be blue-gray or blue-black, brown, cinnamon, or even (very rarely) white. Black bears are very opportunistic eaters.

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Present Simple

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Learn and Speak English Present Tense Grammar Vocabulary Rap Song with Fluency MC

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There's a bright kid who could one day star in the sequel of The Dead Poets Society. Or write its screenplay. Jane Broadis, a year 6 teacher at Christ Church Chorleywood C of E School in Watford, United Kingdom, have just tweeted a brilliant poem.

Image credits: Jb5Jane

Image credits: Jb5Jane

"Sadly so often in schools children with dyslexia never hear that they are often able to think in ways others cannot," Broadis added. Dyslexia is a disorder, characterized by trouble with reading despite normal intelligence. Different people are affected by it in different ways, including difficulties in spelling words, reading quickly, writing words, "sounding out" words in the head, and so on.

Despite a popular misconception, dyslexia isn't limited to people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is believed to be caused by both genetic and environmental factors.

Many of the commenters have also mistakenly called the poem a palindrome. However, a palindrome is a phrase, number or other sequences of characters which reads the same backward as forward. For example, "madam," "racecar." A palindrome can even be a sentence-long phrase that needs to have its capital letters and punctuation adjusted in order to be read the same from both ways ("A man, a plan, a canal, Panama!").

People were incredibly moved by the clever poem

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10-Year-Old Stuns Teacher With A Poem About Dyslexia That Can Be Read Forwards And Backwards

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There's a bright kid who is could one day star in the sequel of The Dead Poets Society. Or write its screenplay. Jane Broadis, a year 6 teacher at Christ Church Chorleywood C of E School in Watford, United Kingdom, have just tweeted a brilliant poem.

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Add Dynamic Action to Your Figures with Deb Aoki

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How To Draw Stick Figures That Express Verbs

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(A1) Cool Jobs - Making Snow in the Desert