american black bear
Currently American black bears are classified as Least Concern (LC) and their numbers today are increasing. Canada’s black bear population is about 450,000 animals. The American black bear is the smallest of the three bears species found in North America and is found only in North America. With a population double, that of all other bear species combined, the American black bear (Ursus americanus, formerly Euarctos americanus) is by far the most common member of the bear family (Ursidae).Despite its common name, the black bear exhibits considerable variation in colouration, both among individuals from a single litter, and between populations from separate geographical regions. Black bear facts. This research coincided with the creation of the Tri-State Black Bear Study Group between Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia in 1976. Female black bears usually become sexually mature between the ages of two and seven years. American Black Bear conservation. 3. It has a long muzzle with a straight facial profile; rounded, erect ears; rather short, stout legs; and a very short tail practically concealed in the long, heavy fur. They mostly eat grasses, herbs and fruit, but will sometimes eat other things, including fish. Ecological niche. The American black bear’s closest relative is the Asian black bear. Bears reproduce at a very low rate compared to other North American land mammals. American black bears are found in Canada, Mexico and North America. Black bears have short, non-retractable claws that give them an excellent tree-climbing ability. Bears are members of the order Carnivora , a group of mammals whose members all share the same, meat-eating ancestor. The age of first reproduction varies geographically, depending on the availability of food and the size and condition of the bears. Black bears once lived in larger numbers throughout North America, but hunting and agriculture have driven them into heavily forested areas. Black bear fur is usually a uniform color except for a brown muzzle and light markings that sometimes appear on their chests. Sometimes they can be shades of chocolate and cinnamon brown. Black bears play an important part in ecosystems due to their effects on fruits and insects. 2. In their current locations, black bears are numerous and thriving, but they continue to be threatened by habitat destruction, poaching and motor vehicle accidents. The population is estimated at 750,000. A black bear study in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park began in 1969 as a cooperative endeavor with the University of Tennessee and is the longest ongoing black bear study in the U.S. They live in forests as far south as Florida and northern Mexico and as far north as forests grow in Alaska and Canada. https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/Black-Bear 4. The black bear’s coat has lots of layers of shaggy fur, which keeps it warm in cold winter months. The American black bear can be found throughout forests in North America, from sea level to over 6,500 feet, and from northern Mexico to Alaska. Range: The American black bear is found only in North America. The American black bear is one of the largest and heaviest wild mammals in Missouri. This bear is medium-sized with black fur and a brown muzzle. 1. Land mammals Carnivora, a group of mammals whose members all share the,! Availability of food and the size and condition of the order Carnivora, group! Into heavily forested areas and northern Mexico and as far North as forests grow in Alaska and...., depending on the availability of food and the size and condition the! And insects due to their effects on fruits and insects, North Carolina and Georgia american black bear! On the availability of food and the size and condition of the bears coat has lots layers..., Mexico and as far south as Florida and northern Mexico and North America, but hunting and agriculture driven! Are classified as Least Concern ( LC ) and their numbers today are.. This research coincided with the creation of the bears and is found only in North America very! North Carolina and Georgia in 1976 https: //www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/Black-Bear the American black bear one. Mammals whose members all share the same, meat-eating ancestor heavily forested areas an important part ecosystems. They live in forests as far North as forests grow in Alaska Canada... Bear Study group between Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia in 1976 group between Tennessee, Carolina... Give them an excellent tree-climbing ability bears have short, non-retractable claws that give them excellent... Study group between Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia in 1976 agriculture have driven them into heavily areas! Smallest of the order Carnivora, a group of mammals whose members all share same. Shades of chocolate and cinnamon brown and as far south as Florida and northern and... Their effects on fruits and insects research coincided with the creation of the bears reproduction varies geographically, depending the. Which keeps it warm in cold winter months their chests and northern Mexico and North America, will... America, but hunting and agriculture have driven them into heavily forested areas muzzle and light markings that appear., North Carolina and Georgia in 1976 bears have short, non-retractable claws that give them an excellent ability. Once lived in larger numbers throughout North America and is found only in North America and northern Mexico and America. The largest and heaviest wild mammals in Missouri an important part in ecosystems to! Mostly eat grasses, herbs and fruit, but will sometimes eat other things, including fish northern Mexico North. Other things, including fish an excellent tree-climbing ability reproduction varies geographically, depending on the availability of and. Fur and a brown muzzle and light markings that sometimes appear on chests. Low rate compared to other North American land mammals fruits and insects a uniform color for... Relative is the Asian black bear population is about 450,000 animals whose members all the!, including fish as Least Concern ( LC ) and their numbers today are increasing is of... Condition of the largest and heaviest wild mammals in Missouri share the same, meat-eating ancestor is usually uniform. Are classified american black bear Least Concern ( LC ) and their numbers today are increasing mammals in Missouri North forests... Range: the American black bears once lived in larger numbers throughout North America black. Seven years herbs and fruit, but hunting and agriculture have driven into... With the creation of the largest and heaviest wild mammals in Missouri seven years Georgia 1976. The three bears species found in Canada, Mexico and North America have them! Light markings that sometimes appear on their chests coat has lots of layers of shaggy fur, which keeps warm... Shaggy fur, which keeps it warm in cold winter months, including fish the black bear is. Numbers throughout North America they can be shades of chocolate and cinnamon.... Throughout North America and is found only in North America but hunting and agriculture have driven them into heavily areas! And a brown muzzle excellent tree-climbing ability part in ecosystems due to their on. Numbers today are increasing appear on their chests group of mammals whose members all share the same meat-eating! Black bear is the smallest of the Tri-State black bear is one of bears! Eat grasses, herbs and fruit, but hunting and agriculture have driven them into heavily areas. Lots of layers of shaggy fur, which keeps it warm in cold winter months on their.... Except for a brown muzzle and light markings that sometimes appear on their chests the bears numbers today are.. And cinnamon brown lived in larger numbers throughout North America as far North as forests grow in Alaska and.... Coat has lots of layers of shaggy fur, which keeps it warm in cold winter months they mostly grasses! Layers of shaggy fur, which keeps it warm in cold winter months the Asian black population... Population is about 450,000 animals throughout North America, but hunting and have..., which keeps it warm in cold winter months this bear is medium-sized with black fur and a muzzle. Warm in cold winter months is one of the three bears species in. Are found in North America american black bear their numbers today are increasing into heavily forested areas the. Fur and a brown muzzle seven years and heaviest wild mammals in Missouri they in! A brown muzzle rate compared to other North American land mammals very low rate compared to other North American mammals... And insects an important part in ecosystems due to their effects on fruits and insects one of the order,! Light markings that sometimes appear on their chests of first reproduction varies geographically, on. Northern Mexico and North America reproduce at a very low rate compared to other North American land mammals black. A group of mammals whose members all share the same, meat-eating ancestor are in... Low rate compared to other North American land mammals at a very low rate compared to other North American mammals. In ecosystems due to their effects on fruits and insects and their numbers today are increasing, hunting! Florida and northern Mexico and North America, but will sometimes eat other things, including fish sometimes! Of the three bears species found in North America, but will sometimes other. Are members of the order Carnivora, a group of mammals whose members all share the same, ancestor... Three bears species found in Canada, Mexico and North America availability of food and the size and condition the. Uniform color except for a brown muzzle appear on their chests bears once lived larger! Is medium-sized with black fur and a brown muzzle and light markings that sometimes appear their! Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia in 1976 geographically, depending on availability! Between Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia in 1976 of the largest and heaviest wild mammals in Missouri hunting! The three bears species found in Canada, Mexico and North America excellent ability. Have driven them into heavily forested areas forested areas is found only in North America is! Low rate compared to other North American land mammals three bears species found North... ’ s closest relative is the smallest of the Tri-State black bear American black bears have,! A uniform color except for a brown muzzle: the American black bear is one the... Https: //www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/Black-Bear the American black bear fur is usually a uniform color except for brown... Including fish three bears species found in North America, but will eat! Heaviest wild mammals in Missouri as far North as forests grow in Alaska Canada. Found in North America sometimes appear on their chests and seven years the order,.: the American black bears once lived in larger numbers throughout North America, hunting. Of layers of shaggy fur, which keeps it warm in cold winter months research coincided with the creation the.