Class
Mammals
Range
The black bears of North America live in many places.
Habitat
They like old forests, swamps and scrubby places where fires have burned all the trees.
Body Traits
Their fur can be many colors from tan to brown to black. Male black bears weigh about 300 pounds. Females weigh about 150 pounds. The largest black bears reach up to 600 pounds.
Habits
Black bears are active mostly at night (nocturnal).
Diet
They eat plants and animals (omnivores). They eat small mammals, fruits, nuts, roots and insects.
Predators
The only predator that kills black bears is man, though one black bear may kill another.
Reproduction
They spend the winter in a den sleeping (hibernating). They have 1-3 babies called cubs. They have their babies in January or February. Female black bears are pregnant for about 71/2 months (gestation). The babies nurse on milk for about 8 months.
Lifespan and/or Conservation Status
They live up to 30 years in the wild. The males usually live shorter than the females. They are not a threatened species.
Full Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Suborder: Caniformia
Family: Ursidae
Genus: Ursus
Species: Ursus americanus
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All text on Exploring Nature was written by author, Sheri Amsel
Here is an example of citing this page:
Amsel, Sheri. “Mammalia.” Bear (Black). Exploring Nature Educational Resource. © 2005 - 2010. September 7, 2010. <http://exploringnature.org/db/detail.php?dbID=43&detID=936>
- Coloring Page
- Labeling Page
- Download Hi-Res B&W Diagram
- Download Hi-Res Color Diagram
- Download Hi-Res In-Habitat Poster
