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American Black Bear
We saw this black bear in Smoky Mountain National Park on the Roaring Fork auto loop.
SizeMale black bears are larger than the females. These
bears typically are around 3 - 3.5 feet tall and weigh between
200-580 pounds. They are smaller then grizzly bears.
Range
Black bears live all over the United States, particularly in northern
states like Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan and in the forests of the
Rocky Mountains and Appalachian Ranges. They predominantly stick to
forested areas although some live in swampy areas in the East.
Speed
For short bursts, they can reach speeds of 30 mph.
Diet
Their diet is primarily vegetarian, especially in the spring.
Bears like berries, fruit, nuts, twigs, roots, honey and plants.
They also eat bugs, grubs, small mammals and are excellent at fishing.
Bears also love to eat the food of campers who have not properly hung
their rations from a tree.
Miscellaneous facts
They are excellent swimmers and can climb trees. Like the
one we saw, they are commonly seen in National Parks and have become
somewhat used to being around people, making them less scared of people.
They can be dangerous and occasionally will attack humans. It is
legal to hunt black bears in many areas of the United States. The
Louisiana Black Bear is an exception as these are on the Endangered
Species list and exist in limited numbers.
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