Black Bears
The black bear is a medium-sized bear that is found in North America. Black bears are omnivores and their diet depends on the season and location. These bears are well adapted to woodlands and forests. Black bears are a generalized species because they are able to survive in many habitats. They can sometimes be found in the tundra or in meadows. Black bears have a great sense of smell and hearing. They can also climb trees and are strong swimmers.
Black bears eat grasses, herbs and fruit but will also sometimes eat other things such as fish. Due to the size of the black bear, it needs to eat a lot of food in order to survive. The black bear has a coat that is full of shaggy fur. This fur helps to keep the bear warm in the cold winter months. |
Most black bears will hibernate depending on the weather conditions and the availability of food during the winter. In areas where there is a consistent food supply and warmer weather, the black bear may not hibernate at all. Black bears make their dens in rocky areas, hollow trees and n nests on the ground and beneath branch piles.
Recently, humans have heavily disrupted the habitats (forests) of the black bear. |
Think about what affect this has on black bears. How does the
disruption of forests affect the black bear? The overall population? The
community the black bear lives in?
disruption of forests affect the black bear? The overall population? The
community the black bear lives in?