North American black bears are one of 8 species of bear and one of 3 native to the country. Although their current range has decreased considerably, black bears are still the most widespread bear in the US. Despite the name, not all black bears are black. Their coat color can range from black to chocolate to cinnamon to white. Black bears are the smallest bear species in North America.

Black bears come in a wide range of sizes, and their weights are seasonal, varying depending on time of year. Bear appetites are also seasonal – they have very low to no appetite during the winter and have extremely high appetites in the late summer and early fall in preparation for hibernation. Most black bears will enter a dormancy period in late fall, where the bear’s heart and metabolic rates will decrease, but the bear still remains relatively alert and awake. Females give birth in the fall, and cubs remain in the den with their mother until the family emerges from hibernation.

Black bears are excellent swimmers and climbers. They are often found eating, napping and even hibernating in treetops, and can climb 100 feet up a tree in about 30 seconds. They have excellent vision and see in color, and have a superior sense of smell and hearing. Most adult black bears are solitary, but they can still be gregarious and possess excellent social intelligence.