American Black Bear

Species Identification and Safety

American black bears (Ursus americanus) live throughout North America from uppermost Canada to northern Mexico. Although their range is more fractured than it once was, they can still be found in almost all 50 states. These adaptive predators thrive in swamps, mountains, and beaches, feeding on berries and roots in addition to meat and fish.

Seeing a bear in the wild can be a wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime experience. As more people move more into rural and woodland areas, black bear encounters are increasing, but the vast majority of these instances end safely and peacefully. Being prepared in bear country by learning how to differentiate species and what to do during a sighting helps us protect both the wild and ourselves.

They’re also the mostly widely distributed, once occupying
Black bears are true omnivores that wield one of the strongest noses in the animal kingdom. Their sense of smell is so powerful that it can lead them to food from over two miles away! They primarily consume berries, fruit, and roots, but they also feed on insects, fish, honey, and carrion. They will eat almost anything, and their diet adapts to whatever is available.
While many predators establish a territory to defend from other males, bears have home ranges which are shared with other bears of both sexes at different times of the year. Adult black bears are generally solitary animals, except during mating season.

Did you know…?

Myths & misinformation

Fact: black bears prefer to avoid humans when given the chance. While mother bears may scare off perceived threats by making a show, more than 90% of the relatively few black bear attacks come from adult males. Cubs know to get away from danger by climbing trees, where they are safe.
Read more below about danger and safety in bear country.
Fact: the most common color for black bears is actually brown! Brown bears can also have dark coats that appear black at first glance.
Fact: there have been less than 70 known black bear attacks since 1900.

Are black bears dangerous?

Bears have a reputation for being aggressive, dangerous, and unpredictable. This idea has formed because bears are portrayed negatively in the media, bear-human conflict is overreported, and self-defensive bluffs are often misunderstood as an attack with intent to harm.

Bears, especially black bears, prefer to retreat than to risk life and limb in a fight. Many myths, like warnings against camping in bear country while menstruating, contribute to the excessive fear of bears.

Are black bear attacks common?

Less than 70 deaths since 1900s. 59 incidents https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jwmg.72

91% occurred upon groups of 1-2 people
https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/downloadSupplement?doi=10.1002%2Fjwmg.72&file=jwmg_72_sm_tableS1.pdf
Mostly males. Not females with cubs. Females with cubs posture aggressively but are much less likely to actually attack

Dying from a black bear attack is less likely than dying from…

Dog attack

Lawnmower accident

Constipation

Falling from a tree

Black bear or brown bear?

Identification starts by learning which bears are where.

Both black and brown bears once roamed more of North America, but their ranges have shrunk since colonialism arrived. Learn which bears are in your area to narrow down which species are most likely to be found. Knowing which regional subspecies are local can help avoid mistakes.

Black bears aren’t always black!

Black bears and brown bears both vary in fur color, so identifying a bear on color alone can lead to mistakes.

Taxonomists have described more than a dozen unique subspecies of the American black bear, and their coats can be black, bluish, brown, or tan. There is even a rare white subspecies found in British Columbia, known as the Kermode or Spirit Bear.

Some of the colors that have been observed in the American black bear.

Similarly, brown bears in North America have at least two subspecies: the grizzly bear and the Kodiak bear. Grizzly bear fur can range from blonde to brown to nearly black. (bear.org)

Because of this, identification based on color is not ideal. Look at a combination of factors including color, face and body shape, and geographic location to make an identification.

Look for facial differences…

Brown bears have a bumpier face and short, round ears.

Black bears have a straighter face and tall, pointed ears.

…and for differences in body shape!

Brown bear

Large shoulder hump
Shoulder higher than rump
Long, sweeping claws

Black bear

No shoulder hump
Rump higher than shoulder
Shorter claws

Body size can be misleading.

Black and brown bears vary in size due to age, sex, and species. Grizzly bears size varies by region but max out at 800-1600 pounds. Black bears usuaslly not over 600 lbs. Size is not reliable - a young or female brown bear can be very similar in size to adult black bear.

Bear safety in the outdoors