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|conservation=Least concern

|conservation=Least concern

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The '''American black bear''' is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most widely distributed bear species, as well as the world's most common bear species. They also have a wider variety in fur color than any bear species: the usual black, cinnamon-brown, silvery-gray, and white.

The '''American black bear''' is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most widely distributed bear species, as well as the world's most common bear species; like the [[brown bear]], American black bears are not considered globally threatened with extinction. They also have a wider variety in fur color than any bear species: the usual black, cinnamon-brown, silvery-gray, and white.

==Description==

==Description==

== Habitat ==

== Habitat ==

American black bears are indigenous to North America, ranging from the swamps to mountains and forests. The states they live in the United States of America include [[Alaska]], [[Arkansas]], [[West Virginia]], [[Florida]], [[Pennsylvania]], and [[Tennessee]].

American black bears are indigenous to North America, ranging from the swamps to mountains and forests. The states they live in the United States of America include [[Alaska]], [[Arkansas]], [[West Virginia]], [[Florida]], [[Pennsylvania]], and [[Tennessee]]. Canada is also prime black bear country, from Canada's west coast to the east. There are black bears living in Mexico, with the species pushing up to the Texas border; these bears live in a drier and more sparse habitat like scrubland.

== Behavior ==

== Behavior ==

The American black bear has good eyesight and hearing, but their sense of smell is the most superior of its senses. Its smell is stronger than that of a bloodhound. Out of the bears in the world, it is one of the four species (along with the giant panda, Asiatic black bear, and sun bear) that can climb well, climbing to escape from predators, feed, and sleep. They are also good swimmers, swimming for fun and catching fish.

The American black bear has good eyesight and hearing, but their sense of smell is the most superior of its senses. Its smell is stronger than that of a bloodhound. Out of the bears in the world, it is one of the four species (along with the giant panda, Asiatic black bear, and sun bear) that can climb well, climbing to escape from predators, feed, and sleep. They are also good swimmers, swimming for fun and catching fish. Like other bear species, black bears are solitary except for a mating pair or a mother with her cubs.

==Diet==

==Diet==

American black bears are mainly foragers, feeding on grass, fruit, and nuts, though they will also feed on insects like bees and ants. Meat is also a part of their diet, which includes fish and young deer.

American black bears are mainly foragers, feeding on grass, fruit, and nuts, though they will also feed on insects like bees and ants. Meat is also a part of their diet, which includes fish and young deer. Honey is a treat for black bears, though it can be painful for a bear to get it straight from the honeycomb due to the bees defending it.

When the chance arrives, though, black bears will wander into towns, national parks, and campsites, looking for food leftover from humans. This increases the chance of human and bear encounters and eventually even leader to a bear attack.

When the chance arrives, though, black bears will wander into towns, national parks, and campsites, looking for food leftover from humans in garbage cans or dumpsters. This increases the chance of human and bear encounters and eventually even leads to a bear attack.

   

   

== Offspring ==

== Breeding ==

Sows have their first litter at around three or five years of age. They can have up to two or three cubs in a litter during hibernation (late January or early February), the cubs leaving the den with their mother shortly after spring arrives. Like the adults, the cubs are capable of climbing trees and will climb to either escape predators, feed on fruits, or play with their siblings. The cubs stay with their mother until three years of age. The males don't partake in taking care of the cubs.

Sows have their first litter at around three or five years of age. They can have up to two or three cubs in a litter during hibernation (late January or early February), the cubs leaving the den with their mother shortly after spring arrives. Like the adults, the cubs are capable of climbing trees and will climb to either escape predators, feed on fruits, or play with their siblings. The cubs stay with their mother until three years of age, when they find their own territories and mates. The males don't partake in taking care of the cubs.

==Black bears in culture==

==Black bears in culture==