Black Bears: A Natural History

by Dave Taylor

Overview

Author Dave Taylor has set his life photographing and writing about North American wildlife. His passion was black bears. In this beautifully designed full colour book with more than 100 fullcolor photographs, maps and charts, Black Bears introduces the reader to this shy, reclusive and largely misunderstood animal with an encyclopedic examination of the black bear's world by state, province and territory.

Of the three species (the grizzly/brown bear, polar bear, and black bear), Taylor examines and portrays his devotion specifically to the black bear, the most populous of the species. A specific section touches upon the bear and people, offering valuable advice when camping in their environment, and what to do if one encounters a bear in the wilderness.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781554554690
Publisher:	Fitzhenry & Whiteside, Limited
Publication date:	03/19/2021
Edition description:	Second Edition, Revised
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Dave Taylor
is the author/photographer of more than 50 books on wildlife and natural history. He is a retired teacher who has had a passion for black bears since the 1960s.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction to the First Edition
Acknowledgements

Part I. The Pre-History of Black Bears
The Evolution of Black Bears
     The Evolution of Mammals
     The Carnivores
     Black Bears as Omnivores
The Giant Short-Face Bear
The Black Bear During the Ice Age
     Black Bear Subspecies and Range

Part II. The World of Black Bears
Adaptations for Forest Life
Black Bear Habitat
Territory and Home Range
Black Bear Physical Characteristics
Colour Phases: Black, Brown, White, and Blue
Black Bear or Grizzly Bear?
     Shape and Colour
     Head and Ears
     Claws
     Name and Location
Events Leading to Hibernation
Hibernation
Birth of Cubs
Bear Cubs
Mother and Cubs — The First Year
Making it Alone
Male Bears
Black Bear Diet
     Black Bears as Herbivores
     Black Bears as Carnivores
Interactions with Other Species
Scatology
Black Bear Signs
     Tracks
     Scratches on Trees
     Bear Nests
     Beds and Dens
     Feeding
     Kills
Population of Bears
     Monitoring Bear Populations
Adapting to a Changing Habitat
Climate Change
Bear Mortality

Part III. Putting a Value on Black Bears
What is the Value of a Black Bear?
Hunting Black Bears
Viewing Bears

Part IV. Getting Along in Bear Country
Black Bears and People — The Tolerant Bear
Camping in Bear Country
     Do's and Dont's of Camping in Bear Country Bear
What to Do When You Meet a Bear
     Tips and Suggestions
     Bear Spray
Black Bears and People — The Aggressive Bear
Reading a Black Bear's Behaviour
     Facial Expressions
     Body Language
     Fights
     Avoidance
     Vocalizations
     Other Behaviours
Be Bear Smart

Part V. Bear Tourism
Where You Find Bears
     Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary
     Great Smoky Mountain National Park
     Yellowstone National Park
     Whistler Mountain
     Coastal Black Bears
     Other Places to View Bears
Photographing Bears

Part VI. In the Field
Winter Field Research
     Day 1
     Day 2
Summer Research
Researching Bears of the Bruce Peninsula
Bear With Us — A Labour of Love

Part VII. Black Bear Populations by Region
The Continental United States
     Northeastern Bears: Maine, Pennsylvania, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Connecticut, and Rhode Island
     Southern Bears: Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Northern Carolina, and Kentucky
     Gulf of Mexico Bears: Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi
     Central Bears: Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin
     Northwestern Bears: Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Utah
     Plains: Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas
     Southwestern Bears: California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada
Canada and Alaska
     Eastern Canada: Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Quebec
     Ontario Bears
     Western Bears: Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, Northwest Territory, and Nunavut
     Northwestern Bears: British Columbia, the Yukon Territory and Alaska
Mexico

Appendices
   I. United States Black Bear Population by State
   II. Canadian Black Bear Population by Province and Territory
   III. Total Estimated North American Population
   IV. Black Bear Viewing Lodges and Tours
   V. Black Bear Viewing Areas & Opportunities
Glossary
Bibliography
Index