North American Black Bear Facts

North American black bears are common in the U.S.

The North American black bear is the most common bear in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Its coat can be black, dark brown, cinnamon or grayish-blue. North American black bear attacks are very rare.

Geography

The North American black bear lives in heavily forested areas of the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Black bears sometimes encroach on suburban areas looking for food because of shrinking natural habitat.

Size

North American black bears may look smaller than other bears, but they are powerful and muscular. The average black bear weighs 150 to 300 pounds, and mature males can weigh as much as 600 pounds. Females are a bit smaller than males.

Identification

Most black bears have black fur but the color can vary. The coat can range from light golden brown to cinnamon to grayish-blue to black, so identification depends on bears' distinctive shape, habits and habitat. All black bears have a short snout and large paws with retractable claws.

Diet and Lifespan

Black bears are omnivorous, which means they eat almost anything, including insects, honey, fruit, bark, nuts, salmon, small animals, garbage and carrion left by other predators. North American black bears live an average of 10 years, but some can survive in the wild for as long as 30 years.

Behavior and Caution

North American black bear attacks are extremely rare. Black bears are shy animals that naturally avoid people, although they will come close wherever food is available. When a black bear is nearby, the best course of action is to keep a safe distance and leave the bear alone.

References

• American Black Bear
• North American Black Bear
• Black Bear Ursus Americanus

Resources

• What If I See a Black Bear?