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Black Bear
Ursus americanus
Size: 5–6 feet long (nose to tail); weighs 200–600 pounds; males are usually larger than females
Habitat: Forests, lowland areas, and swamps
Range: In Michigan, they can be found throughout the state. In the Upper Peninsula area of the state, the population is rapidly increasing.
Food: Berries, fish, seeded crops, small mammals, wild grapes, tree shoots, ants, bees, beavers, and even deer fawns
Den: Denning usually starts in December, with bears emerging in late March or April. Dens can be either dug (out of a hillside, for example) or constructed with materials such as leaves, grass, and moss.
Young: Two cubs are usually born at one time (a litter) from August to November. Cubs are born furless and blind, with pink skin. They are often born in January and weigh 8–16 ounces.
Predators: Humans and other bears. Sometimes, other carnivores, such as wolves, coyotes, or even bobcats, will prey on Black Bears. Cubs are especially vulnerable.
Tracks: Front print is usually 4–6 inches long and 3.5–5 inches wide, with the hind foot being 6–7 inches long and 3.5–5 inches wide. Both feet have five toes.
Black Bears are usually black in color, but they can be many different variations of black and brown. Some even have grayish, reddish, or blonde fur.
Did you know?
Female bears weigh between 90 and 300 pounds and are smaller than the average adult human male in the US. But don’t let their small size fool you; with a bite force around 800 pounds per square inch (PSI) and swiping force of over 400 pounds, these bears are not to be taken lightly.
