A look at North American black bears, their habitat, coloration, where they den, how many cubs they give birth too, hunting, and hiking in bear country
Bear are undeniably one of the most interesting animals that walk on our planet today. Of the different species of bear, Black Bear are the highest populated of them all.
So, where are they? They are in the woods, and as people move more and more into their habitat, they are in our backyards too! To help us better understand our four-footed neighbors, let us first look at our long, ongoing, relationship and worship of them. In the not so distant past, Native Americans both feared and honored this great beast. The bravest would proudly display necklaces and other forms of decorations containing bear claws and teeth. Names like Daniel Boone and Davy Crocket instantly bring to mind man's battles with bear. If one looks farther back into the past, from when man lived in caves, we see remnants of drawings on the cave walls depicting bear and man in fierce battle against each other. For as long as history has been recorded, bear and man have both lived together and fought against each other. In modern times of today, this has not altered much. While there are now laws against random killing, many states have specific seasons set aside for the hunting of bear. This helps control the population of this animal as society moves out into the bear's natural habitat. Let us take a closer look now at the Black Bear:
Black bear are not always black in color. While black is the most popular color, they range from white to blonde, to tan to brown, even blue and cinnamon! Some also have white markings on them, commonly on the chest area. One female I had the pleasure to see had a large white v shape on her chest and throat area. She had two cubs with her and both cubs bore similar markings.
Born weighing less than a pound, a black bear cub will be about the size of a human infant when spring arrives and mother and cub emerge from the den. An adult black bear can weigh as much as 600 lbs., and there have been a few that weighed in over this amount.
Most females give birth to twins, while triplets, and quads are not unheard of. The cubs are born in the mother's den, usually a cave or rock cropping, sometimes nothing much more than a dug out area in a hillside. The main objective in a search for a den is shelter, and not all bear are as fussy as others are. Black bear have even been observed "˜denning' in nothing more than the roots and rotted opening of a fallen tree. While black bear hibernate, they commonly will wake up and even come out of their dens for a stretch on warm, sunny winter days. Black bear that live in regions that are more southern take this to an even more extreme, and will spend the winter months in a constant flux of sleeping and waking.
Cubs stay with their mothers for periods of up to a year or even longer. They need to be taught how to forage for food, protect themselves in times of danger, and other basic life skills, such as climbing trees. Not all is work though, as mother black bear have been observed playing with their cubs. Black bear mothers are also considered one of the most dangerous animals. Protection of their cubs is at the top of their list. Never come between a mother black bear and her cubs.
Black bear have a diet like no other animal. They will eat nearly anything. Meat from kills and carrion from other animal leftovers are common food sources. Fruit, such as wild berries, eggs, even grass. Insects are high on their food list; honey stole from bees, rodents, and fish when they can catch them. With bear and man coming into contact increasingly, black bear will also eat anything they can acquire from their two-footed neighbors. Campers who leave a cooler in reach of a bear, will be eating nothing, while the bear will have had a feast of hot dogs, Gumi's, even the can of cola to wash it down! Cabin owners who leave food about will arrive to a cabin that a bear has used whatever powers necessary to enter. Screen doors and windows do not do much to deter bear. People who live in areas that black bear frequent also know that something as simple as a bird feeder of birdseed can attract these animals for a nighttime snack. A black bear has a keen sense of smell, hearing, and eyesight that is quite good. Because of this, anyone who lives in an area shared with black bear, needs to make sure and not leave out garbage, food items, such as grills, or pet food, as all will attract black bear.
A black bear has an average life span of about18 years. Much of this will depend on their habitat and lifestyle. A bear that has adequate food over the years will of course live longer. A bear that is in constant search of food, from drought or lost habitat will have a much shorter life span.
Black bears mark their territory and anyone such as hunters or hikers who enter the woods can commonly see signs they have left behind. Scratch and claw marks on trees, or trees completely stripped from a midpoint down are signs of bear. Scat, or bear droppings, are a sure sign you have entered their area. If you venture into or live in an area where black bear are, remember that bear are usually quite timid and if given enough notice of us, will leave the area before we even get the opportunity to see them. The best way to do this is to make our presence known. Whistles, sing, talk, in general, make noise as you make your way through the woods. Chances are they will run when first hearing, smelling, or upon seeing us. Encounters sometimes do occur though, and you should be aware of the steps to take in the event it does. The best place to receive this information is from your state D.N.R. or Federal Park rangers. Never enter bear country unless you are prepared.
