American Black Bear (Ursus americanus)

 

Other names: Black bear (North America)

 

 

Ursus americanus is native to North America. It ranges from Alaska and northwestern British Columbia throughout Canada to Ungava Peninsula and Newfoundland. In the United States it is distributed widely in the Rocky Mountains, and the Appalachians, with disjunct populations in the southeast; it also reaches into northern Mexico. Up to 16 subspecies have been recognized, including Ursus americanus americanus shown on this page. Coat color, though predominately black, could also be cinnamon-brown, grey or even white in the northwestern parts of the range. Although hunted in both Canada and USA Ursus americanus remains the world's most common bear species.

American Black Bear inhabits temperate and boreal forests, but also occurs in subarctic tundra, swamps, and subtropical scrub forest; from sea level to 3,500 m. These bears are omnivorous, consuming herbaceous vegetation, roots, fruits, nuts, invertebrates, and mammals (from voles to young undulates), carrion, and also human-related foods, from garbage to crops and livestock. Ursus americanus often mark trees with their claws. American Black Bear hibernates throughout most of its range, spending the winter in underground dens, caves, hollow trees, etc.

 

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