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Black Bear
Ursus americanus
Size: 5–6 feet long (nose to tail); weighs 90–600 pounds
Habitat: Forests, lowland areas, and swamps
Range: Black bears can be found in many parts of North America, from Alaska down through Canada and into Mexico. In Oregon, they are found throughout the state with most of the population being found in the Coast Range, Cascade Mountains, and Blue Mountains.
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), often in January. Cubs are born without fur and blind, with pink skin. They weigh 8–16 ounces.
Predators: Humans and other bears. Sometimes, other carnivores, such as mountain lions, 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. The feet have five toes.
Description: 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.
