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American Black Bear

Ursus americanus
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Appearance

American black bears, despite their name, may appear brown, tan, or even white. During the winter, these large, powerful creatures can weigh over 500 pounds before they enter a state of dormancy called torpor, which helps them conserve energy while food is less abundant. Long, powerful, non-retractable claws make them excellent climbers, a necessary skill in the search for food and safety.

Range

Black bears can be found throughout North America, particularly in forested areas. Their home range may expand to more than 5,000 acres for a single bear and often overlaps with others.

Diet

Black bears are innovative omnivores, making “bear-proofing” a serious task for many local homeowners. In the wild, these bears forage a variety of grasses, fish, berries, fruits, nuts, insects, small rodents, birds, and eggs.

Who You’ll Meet

Uno

Date of Birth: January 2004 Uno came to the WNC Nature Center in 2006. The bear that lived here before him, named Zero, inspired Uno’s name.

Ursa

Date of Birth: February 2001 Ursa came to the WNC Nature Center in fall 2002. She is named for the Ursa Major family of star constellations, which is Latin for “great bear.”