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| Bear Facts |
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This page introduces some basic information
on how to recognize a black bear from a grizzly bear. |
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| Black
Bears vs. Grizzly Bears |
- Black bears have an estimated population of somewhere
between 16,000 and 24,000 individuals in California alone.
- Black bears range in color from black to cinnamon, often
with a white blaze on the chest.
- Males are much larger than females. On average, a black
bear is about 3.5 feet tall, standing on all four feet,
and weigh about 200 pounds, but some males can weigh over
500 pounds.
- Black bears are strong swimmers and tree climbers.
- Although they have a clumsy walk, they are surprisingly
fast sprinters, reaching speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.
- In the wild, black bears occupy forests and wooded mountains.
They are omnivorous, meaning they eat both meat and vegetation.
They eat whatever is available, depending on the season.
A typical diet consists of berries, plants, nuts, roots,
fruit, honey, honeycombs, bees, insects, and larvae. Bears
also catch and eat fish and small mammals, and will eat
carrion (dead animals).
- Female bears mate beginning at four years of age, and
produce cubs every other year. The cubs remain with their
mother for 18-20 months, learning to forage and hunt.
- As winter approaches, bears will forage up to 20 hours
a day, storing enough fat to sustain them through hibernation.
They seek out a suitable den, such as a hollow tree—sometimes
40 to 60 feet above the ground—and line it with leaves
or pine needles.
- Females with yearling cubs will hibernate with their cubs.
- Bears remain in their dens, without eating, until spring.
They will often return to the same den to hibernate year
after year.
- Large trees are very important to bears.
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Black Bear (foreground)
and Grizzly Bear
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To distinguish between Black Bears and Grizzly Bears, look
for:
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Bear
Advisory
The Department of Fish and Wildlife
Management advises hikers, hunters, fishermen, and golfers
to take extra precautions and be on the alert for bears
while in the mountains during the spring and
summer months.
Be advised that those hiking or camping
in the mountains should wear noise-producing devices,
such as little bells, on their clothing to alert, but
not to startle, the bears unexpectedly. They also advise
hikers and others to carry pepper spray, in case of
an unavoidable encounter with a bear.
It is also a good idea to watch for
signs of bear activity. Hikers and campers should be
able to recognize the difference between black bear
and grizzly bear droppings. Black bear droppings are
smaller and contain berries and possibly squirrel or
other small animal fur. Grizzly bear droppings contain
small bells and smell like pepper spray.
Note: In case you hadn't figured
it out, the above text is meant to be humorous. But
encounters with bears can be frightening experiences.
We have found that it is best to stay out of areas where
there are reports of active bears, especially during
the seasons when mother bears are with their young.
There are plenty of places for us to hike and camp away
from bear habitat.
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| Note:
The photo of the bears at the top of this page is taken from
a commercial clipart package and was not produced by the author.
The drawing of the Black Bear and the Grizzly bear was taken
from Teewinot, the official newspaper of Grand Teton National
Park. |
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Straight
face; no shoulder hump; rump higher than shoulders.
Dished-in
face; tine ears; prominent shoulder hump; rump lower than
shoulders.
Short
and curved for climbing. Claws do not always show in tracks.
Long
and straight. Claws often show in tracks.
Claws
are closer to the pads; toes are more separated and more
arced.
Claws
are farther away from pads; toes are closer together and
less arced.
