Black Bear

Ursus americanus

Black Bears are more and more common in the eastern United States, where they are learning to live at the edges of suburbs. They are not dangerous as long as you keep away from them. Although they are carnivores, Black Bears eat very little meat. Instead, they live on grasses and other plants in spring, fruits and berries in summer, and nuts and acorns in fall. Black Bears head for a den in October and sleep much of the winter but they do not enter the deep phase of true hibernation.

Look For : A large black long-legged bear. Moves much faster than you might think.

Length : Body 4-6' long, 3-4' high; tail 3-7" long; 200-600 lb.

Habitat : Forests, swamps, and parklands near eastern suburbs.

Range : Most of Alaska and Canada. South to California, Nevada, and through the Rocky Mts. in the West. South to the Great Lakes, New England, and in mountains and coastal regions to Florida and Louisiana in the East. Also in Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma.