shop now
 

Wild Animals A-Z

 
 

Black Bear

 
Black bear picture
Fit for the Forest: Although black is the most common color of this bear, fur color can range from light brown to dark brown and even grayish blue. Although adaptable, forests tend to be the black bear's favorite haunt. Its sharp claws are great tools for ripping open old logs in search of grubs and worms as well as for tree climbing.

A Varied Diet: A solitary, predominantly vegetarian creature, the black bear uses its keen sense of smell to search out fruit, nuts, berries and roots. However, this bear will also eat insects, honey, fish and small mammals when the opportunity arises.

The Bear Facts: It is an excellent tree climber, and despite its size, regularly ascends to the treetops to eat. The larger and more erect ears and the lack of a shoulder hump distinguish the black bear from the brown bear. Like most bears, the black bear hibernates in winter, which can last as long as six months in the more northern areas of its range.

Explore More

MORE BEARS

grizzly-bear Grizzly Bear
You gonna eat that salmon? How about those berries?


polar-bear Polar Bear
The polar bear: proving you can wear white after Labor Day.

panda Giant Panda
A top contender or the world's most adorable animal.
  MORE BLACK BEAR



VIDEO: Electrocuted Black Bear

FACTS: More Black Bear Facts

  DID YOU KNOW?

Ruled by Fear: Despite their size, black bears are extremely timid and have been observed fleeing from house cats, mallard ducks, moths and butterflies.

An Unnatural Enemy: Most black bears outside of national parks die because of humans and rarely of natural causes.
 
 
advertisement

How Stuff Works

Does Panhandling Kill Black Bears?
Wild black bears and people just don't mix. Learn more about how panhandling harms these docile creatures at HowStuffWorks.com.
 

Download Killer Clips

 

Shop Discovery!

 
newsletter
 
 

our sites

video

 

mobile

shop

stay connected

corporate