Interpretation Guide Status Danger Threats Population Distribution Habitat Diet Size Longevity Social Family Units Reproduction Our Animals Scientific Name North American Black Bear Updated: February 26, 2018 Least Concern (IUCN Red List) Humans Wild: Increasing Forested areas of North America, including much of Canada, eastern US and sections of Mexico Because of their versatile diet, black bears can live in a variety of habitat types. They inhabit both coniferous and deciduous forests as well as open alpine habitats. Wild: Their diet includes roots, berries, meat, fish, insects, larvae, grass and other succulent plants. Zoo Knoxville: Kibble, fruits, vegetables, occasional bones, fish and acorns Length: 5-6 feet Weight: 200-600 pounds Wild: mid-teens 20 to 30 years Solitary animals Black bears are typically solitary creatures except for family (a female with cubs) groups and during mating season, which peaks in May and June. Following fertilization, the embryo doesn t implant in the uterus until fall at the time of den entrance. The following spring when the cubs are 1.5 years old, the cubs and female will separate. A black bear litter can be 1-5 cubs, but most commonly litters are 2 cubs. Knoxville currently has 4 black bears. Ursula (f. born 2002) an orphaned bear from east Tennessee came to Zoo Knoxville from the Appalachian Bear Rescue. She is the shortest bear, with the round body. Milo (m. born 1999) came to us from the Ft. Worth Zoo. Alvin is a rescued bear from Alaska. He is our largest bear. Monty (m. born 2012) was a cub found by animal control officers in Montgomery County, VA, where he was found with a group of dogs and wearing a dog collar and showed signs that he was human-habituated, which means he had lost his fear of people. He has a notch in his left ear. Finn (m. born 2013) came to us on June 4, 2014, from Virginia. He was confiscated from a private home, where he had been kept illegally. He is shorter than Monty. Order: Carnivora Family: Ursidae Genus: Ursus Species: americanus
Additional Information Our North American Black Bears Milo Born: March, 1999 Born at: Wild born in Alaska Origin: Fort Worth Zoo Ursula Female Birth: May 27, 2002 Born at: Wild born in Tennessee Origin: Appalachian Bear Rescue/Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Monty Birth: January, 2012 Born at: Wild born in Virginia Origin: Wildlife Center of Virginia/Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Finn Birth: June 4, 2014 Born at: Wild born in Virginia Origin: Wildlife Center of Virginia/Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Habitat Information Black Bear Falls in Main Plaza Status Danger Threats Population Wild: Distribution Habitat Forested areas of North America, including much of Canada, eastern US and sections of Mexico. They typically do not occur on the Great Plains or other wide open areas, except along river courses where there is riparian vegetation and trees. They can live just about anywhere they can find food, but largely occur where there are trees.
Conservation efforts for black bears have been effective and in most areas black bears are increasing and can sustain managed sport hunting. In areas with human populations, this can cause conflicts because bears are very attracted to human foods and refuse as well as to livestock and livestock foods. Since bears are large and strong animals, many people fear them and resent the damage they can cause. The key to successful co-existence between humans and bears is to recognize that it is no longer possible for either species to occupy all habitats but that where co-occupancy is possible and desirable, humans must be responsible for the welfare of the bear population. Ecosystem Relationships Predators: Interspecies Competitors: Role/Niche: Diet Wild: North American black bears are omnivorous, with their diets including both plants and meat. Their diet includes roots, berries, meat, fish, insects, larvae, grass and other succulent plants. They are able to kill adult deer and other hoofed wildlife, but most commonly are only able to kill deer, elk, moose and other hoofed animals when these are very young. They are able to kill livestock, especially sheep. Bears are very attracted to human garbage, livestock food, pet food, and other human-associated foods, including fruit trees. Bears using these human associated foods can quickly become habituated to them and this commonly results in the bears being killed as nuisances. This is true for bee hives as well as bears are very attracted to honey. Size Longevity Wild: Social Family Units Reproduction Black bears are typically solitary creatures except for family (a female with cubs) groups and during mating season, which peaks in May and June. Following fertilization, the embryo doesn t implant in the uterus until fall at the time of den entrance. This process of delayed implantation occurs in all bear species and allows the female bear s body to physiologically assess her condition before implantation occurs and the period of gestation really begins. Delayed implantation allows the female to not waste fat reserves and energy in sustaining a pregnancy that would have little chance of success because her condition is too poor. Females give birth to cubs every other year, if food sources are sufficiently plentiful. In years when food supplies are scarce, a female may skip an additional year or two between litters. The cubs are born in the mother's winter den, and will den with her again the following winter. The following spring when the cubs are 1.5 years old, the cubs and female will separate and the female will breed again. A black bear litter can be 1-5 cubs, but most commonly litters are 2 cubs. Animal Neighbors in the Wild Caring for Animals Enrichment
Behaviors Compared to humans, a black bear has better eyesight and a better sense of hearing. Their keenest sense is the sense of smell, which is about seven times greater than a dog's. Black bears are excellent and strong swimmers, doing so for pleasure and to feed (largely on fish). They climb trees regularly to feed, escape enemies and to hibernate. Half of bear species are habitually arboreal (The most arboreal species, the American and Asian black bears and the sun bear, being fairly closely related). Their arboreal abilities tend to decline with age. Black bears may be active at any time of the day or night, although mainly forage by night. Bears living near human habitations tend to be more extensively nocturnal and bears living near brown bears tend to be more extensively diurnal. North American black bears tend to be territorial and non-gregarious in nature. However, at abundant food sources bears may congregate and dominance hierarchies form, with the largest, most powerful males dominating the most fruitful feeding spots. They mark their territories by rubbing their bodies against trees and clawing at the bark. Communication/Vocalization Black bears communicate with various vocal and non-vocal sounds. Tongue-clicking and grunting are the most common sounds and are made in cordial situations to conspecifics, offspring and occasionally humans. During times of fear or nervousness, bears may moan, huff or blow air. Warning sounds include jaw-clicking and lip-popping. In aggressive interactions, black bears produce deep-throated pulsing sounds. Cubs may squeal, bawl or scream when in distress and make motor-like humming when comfortable or nursing. Conservation Efforts by Zoo Knoxville Zoo Knoxville is currently a holding facility for orphaned American black bears. Did you know? Not all black bears are black. Their fur can range in color from pure white to a cinnamon color to very dark brown or black. Most populations have a mixture of these colors, including the pure white form, which is found in some individuals in the island archipelago in southern British Columbia (Kermodi Island). This white black bear, called spirit bear, and revered by Native Americans, is caused by inheriting a recessive gene for coat color from both the mother and the father, who could, themselves, both be black. A genetic reason results in the light grey coat color called the blue or glacier bear in southeastern Alaska. Regardless of these genetic variants, most of the bears in any region are black in color. Some bears have a white patch on their chests. They have a short, inconspicuous tail, longish ears, a relatively straight profile from nose to forehead, and small, dark eyes. Black bears have relatively short claws which enable them to climb trees. Unlike cats, the claws are nonretractable. Black bears can run up to 35 mph. Biofacts Biofacts may be available for this species. Contact Volunteer Coordinator for more information SPECIES SURVIVAL PLAN (SSP) It is AZA s cooperative breeding and conservation program. Members agree to manage and exchange animals in the best interest of the species.
The mission is to help ensure the survival of selected wildlife species. All SSP Programs fall into one of three categories. Here are some characteristics of each. GREEN These programs are the most sustainable over time. They have a published regional studbook. The population can maintain a genetic diversity of >90% for 100 years or 10+ generations. The species is managed by at least three AZA member institutions. YELLOW These programs are potentially sustainable, but need additional attention to increase sustainability. They have a published regional studbook. There are at least 50 animals in the population. The population is not able to maintain at least 90% genetic diversity for 100 years or 10+ generations. They are managed by at least three AZA member institutions. RED These programs are not currently genetically sustainable. Additional animals are needed. They have a published regional studbook. Current population is between 20 and 50 individuals. They are managed by at least three AZA member institutions. CANDIDATE (PURPLE) These are animal programs which hope to grow into an SSP program. There are generally 19 or fewer animals and/or are held at only one or two institutions. They do not currently hae a published regional studbook. FINAL NOTE Animal programs that manage species designated Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered, or Endangered (IUCN-see next) do not need to meet minimum population size and number of participating institutions criteria to be designated as an SSP Program. These SSP Programs only need to have a published AZA Regional Studbook and three defined goals. INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES (IUCN) For the past 50 years, this organization has been assessing the conservation status of species, subspecies and varieties around the world. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN Red List) provides information and analyses on the status, trends and threats to species in order to inform and catalyze action for biodiversity conservation. 79,800 species have been assessed today. The goal is to assess 160,000 species by 2020. This includes vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, and fungi and other species groups. Much more information can be found at www.iucnredlist.org. Assessed species are placed in one of nine categories. There are criteria which must be met to place a species in a specific category. This information is available on the website. These are brief descriptions. EXTINCT (EX): There is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. EXTINCT IN THE WILD (EW): Survivors exist only in cultivation, in captivity, or as a naturalized population well outside of its native range. CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (CR): The species faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. ENDANGERED (EN): The species faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild. VULNERABLE (VU): The species faces a high risk of extinction in the wild. NEAR THREATENED (NT): The species is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future. LEAST CONCERN (LC): The species does not meet any of the criteria for any of the endangered categories. There are widespread and abundant populations. DATA DEFICIENT (DD): Information is not sufficient to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of the risk of extinction based on its distribution and/or population status. NOT EVALUATED (NE): The species has not been evaluated against the criteria.