Black bears (Ursus americanus)
An adult black bear weighs between 250 and 300 pounds and stands two to three feet at the shoulders. Coat color may vary from light brown to deep black.
The black bear was originally found throughout Minnesota, but now occurs only in northern woodlands. Bears lead solitary lives except when females are rearing their young, or when concentrations of food bring bears together.
The black bear is omnivorous, eating anything that resembles food in looks, smell, or taste. It feeds on grasses, fruits, berries, buds or leaves, nuts, insects and their larvae, and on small animals and carrion. Less than ten percent of a bear's food is animal matter.
During hibernation, a female will give birthto one to four young. At birth, cubs weigh eight to ten ounces and are hairless. They grow rapidly, weigh about five pounds by the time they leave the den, and 60 to 100 pounds by their first year.
