American black bear

Ursus americanus · The American black bear is a medium-sized, omnivorous bear that lives mainly in the forests of North America, where it is the continent's smallest and most widespread bear.

Also called Black bear, Baribal.

American black bear
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0
American black bear
Photo: Tsaag Valren, CC BY-SA 4.0
American black bear
Photo: Cephas, CC BY-SA 3.0

Taxonomy

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassMammalia
OrderCarnivora
FamilyUrsidae
GenusUrsus
SpeciesUrsus americanus

Where it lives

Forests across Canada, the US and northern Mexico.

Fun facts

  • Despite the name, black bears come in many colors, including white, blonde, cinnamon, brown and jet black.
  • A black bear's sense of smell is about seven times more sensitive than a domestic dog's.
  • Black bears are clever and handy: they can open screw cap containers and work door latches.
  • A black bear weighing just 120 lb was seen flipping over flat rocks weighing 310 to 325 lb using only one foreleg.

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Facts and taxonomy adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).