1. By Jayden and Ahna

2. Black bears are mammals. They can stand up on their two back legs.

3. This map shows the range of the black bear. Black bears live in North America, Europe and Asia. Where Black Bears Live

4. Black bears are omnivores. This means they will eat a variety of things, including both plants and meat. Their diet includes roots, berries, meat, fish, insects, larvae, grass and other plants. What Black Bears Eat

5.  Cubs are born in January after a gestation period of approximately 7 months.  At birth, the cubs weigh less than a pound, have only a light covering of fur, and can barely crawl.  After a month, a bear cub can open its eyes.  By the time the cubs toddle out of the den at 2 to 3 months of age, they weigh 4 to 6 pounds.  When the cubs are about 17 months old, their mother chases them away so she can mate again. The cubs have to find a way to survive by themselves. Black Bear Cubs

6. Male black bears weigh about 500 pounds and female black bears weigh about 300 pounds. Black bears can grow to about 7 feet from nose to tail. Black bears can live to be 34 years old. Black bears communicate with sounds. They can roar, huff or growl. Baby black bears cry, whimper and snuffle for their mother. That is the first sound they make. Fast Facts about Black Bears

7.  Some black bears are black, but others are brown, bluish, or the color of cinnamon. As odd as it sounds, black bears can even be white!  Black bears can fish lying down. The bear dangles its paws in the water until it feels a fish, then it flings the fish out.  Black bears often run when they are frightened or in danger, but they also climb trees. The sharp claws on their feet make them very good climbers. Fascinating Facts about Black Bears

8. Bears by Diane Swanson. Gareth Stevens, Inc. 1998. Black Bears by JoAnn Early Macken. Gareth Stevens, Inc. 2010.