The American black bear is the smallest of the three bear species found in North American, and are found only in North America.



American black bears are omnivorous: plants, fruits, nuts, insects, honey, salmon, small mammals and carrion. In northern regions, they eat spawning salmon. Black bears will occasionally kill young deer or moose calves.



Black bears mating season is summer and gestation period is 63-70 days. A female black bear will have a litter size of 1-6 cubs; 2 cubs are most common. Cubs remain with the mother for a year and a half or more, even though they are weaned at 6-8 months of age. Females only reproduce every second year (or more). Should the young die for some reason, the female may reproduce again after only one year.

Fun Facts

They may be called black bears, but their coat can be blue-gray or blue-black, brown and sometimes white Short claws make black bears expert tree climbers.