One day you sat on a rock in the forest and you saw something black in a tree. It's a black bear!
Description
Black Bears are six feet tall on their hind legs.
A female black bear's weight is 100-150 pounds and 180 and up for a male. Some bears have been reported to weigh 600 pounds. The bear walks flat-footed. Its front claws are longer than its rear claws. The muzzle is brown and there may be a white patch on the upper region of the chest. Each foot is tipped with a powerful claw. The tail is short, the eyes are small and ears are small and rounded. Its fur turns from black to brown. Black Bears are large but mostly harmless. Black bears may be observed with their color ranging from light straw to dark chocolate.
Habitat
Black bears prefer forests with abundant undergrowth. They mostly live in wooded areas of North America.
Food
Black Bears eat honey, plants, leaves, fruits, berries, nuts, roots, insects, small mammals and fish. And they even eat birds and bird eggs!!!!
Life
Black bears have two to three cubs in the Winter. The young cubs, usually twins, are born the following January. Their babies are called cubs. People are the main enemies of black bears. The colder the winter gets the longer they hibernate. Black Bears are 4 1/2-5 1/2 feet. Their tail is 4-5 inches. Height at shoulder is 2 1/2 -3 feet.
Interesting facts
The front claws of black bears are longer then their rear claws. At one time, the bear's gall bladder was used to make medicine!! When they hibernate, their heart rate drops to only one or two beats per minute.
by Ashley and Shannon
