Black Bear
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Habitat destruction, hunting and other factors have limited its range over time. However, black bear populations can stil be found throughout much of the northern and coastal forest areas from the east to the west. Small populations can also be found in the south.
Black bears are the smallest of the three bear species in the United States. They range in size from four to six feet tall when standing.
They are omnivores with a keen sense of smell. During their foraging season they almost literally follow their nose to find food. They eat a variety of forest foods including mushrooms, tree bark and small mammals.
Unfortunately, they are also fans of people food and bird seed, and have been known to cause problems when they roam into back yards, corn fields or camp sites in search of a meal. Bear experts always remind people not to feed bears.
One interesting fact about the black bear is that it tends to have a black color coat in the east, while many in the west have a lighter tan or cinnamon color.
Black bear population estimates vary from state to state, depending on how wildlife officials do their counting. There are no exact statistics on aggregate population levels, however, recent population research suggests an overall increase in black bear populations over the last fifteen years.
© 2004 Patricia A. Michaels.