After the breeding season, females and their yearlings may travel together for a few weeks. Males sometimes kill and eat cubs.Ĭubs are weaned in late summer, but usually stay close to their mother throughout their first year. Females that are lactating do not come into estrus, so females generally breed every other year. After giving birth, the sow may continue torpor (winter sleep) while the cubs are awake and nursing. Bears in urban areas with subsidized food have had up to 5 cubs in a single litter.įemales give birth between late December and early February while they are in their dens. Females in good condition usually produce 2 or 3 cubs that weigh 7 to 12 ounces at birth. Females that are dominant may suppress breeding activities of females that are subordinate.Īfter mating, the fertilized egg does not implant immediately, but remains unattached in the uterus until fall. Rival males may fight one another, and unreceptive females may fight with males. Males travel extensively in search of receptive females, and mating individuals do not form pair bonds. Black bears breed during the summer, usually in late June or early July. General Biology, Reproduction, and Behavior Reproductionīlack bears become sexually mature at about 3½ years of age, but some females may not breed until their fourth year or later. If a bear starts to approach, shout and wave your arms to try and scare the animal. Always respect bears and keep a safe distance. Few bears have tested positive for rabies.Īlthough black bears generally avoid humans, they have attacked people. Surveys have revealed that a small percentage of bears contract tularemia, brucellosis, and leptospirosis. Zoonotic diseases include the worm responsible for trichinellosis, and the protozoan that causes toxoplasmosis. Health and Safety Concernsīears suffer from a variety of internal and external parasites, some of which may be transmitted to humans. Bears walk with a shuffling gait but can be quite agile and quick. Each foot has five curved claws, about 1-inch long, that do not retract. The tail is short (3 to 6 inches) and inconspicuous.
The ears are relatively small, rounded, and erect. The head is moderately-sized with a straight profile and tapering nose. In the Rocky Mountains and westward, shades of brown, cinnamon, and blond are common. Physical Descriptionīlack bears that live east of the Mississippi River are predominantly black, and some may have a light blaze on their chest. They are the only bear species in the northeast. Identificationīlack bears (Figure 1) are the smallest and most widely distributed of the 3 species of bears in North America. Legal Statusīlack bears are protected by federal and state laws and regulations throughout their range. Darting and translocation of a bear is high risk for both the bear and agency staff. If a bear is treed in an urban area, keep people and pets away, and let the bear leave on its own if possible. They may end up in suburban areas such as parks and school yards. Black bears may travel many miles in early summer seeking food and prior to breeding season.
If a bear has entered a structure, immediately contact your local police agency. On occasion, they will enter buildings and vehicles in search of food.
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