![]() ![]() During this period they will hunt young deer, elk, and other hoofed animals, or feed on carrion. ![]() The most animal-based diet occurs immediately after they emerge from hibernation. Depending on the season, and the age of the bear, these creatures will eat up to 85% vegetation. These bears are omnivores, which means that they will eat both plant and animal matter. Patchy populations are present in the Southeast, Mexico, and other forested areas. Most of their range in Canada is consistent with their historic range, but in the United States they live in just the Northeast, and much of the Appalachian Mountains. Nowadays, humans have restricted their range to the northernmost reaches of their range, and patchy distribution in less-inhabited regions of the United States. In the past, these bears lived across the vast majority of North America, particularly in heavily forested areas. People have found them in juniper woods, chaparral, oak forests, hickory forests, bays, swamps, flatwoods, hardwood forests, meadows, and more. This behavior occurs especially frequently when their habitats are scarce in acorns, tree nuts, and berries. Thick vegetation, and difficult-to-access terrain keeps these bears safe, and is one reason they prefer living in areas isolated from human interruption.ĭespite this, they will roam into more urban areas to forage. Most habitats share a few characteristics that allow these bears to thrive. Scientists recognize sixteen different subspecies of black bears, which occupy a wide variety of habitats. These large mammals are capable of color discrimination at a faster rate than chimpanzees, and can also tell the difference between shapes at a similar rate. Researchers have conducted a number of different behavioral experiments on the intelligence of black bears. Black bears are incredibly intelligent as well. Brainpower – The ability to open jars and doors is not simply because they are good with their paws.Black bears can open screw-top jars, and open door handles, allowing them to wreak havoc with your campsite! They can use their paws to manipulate objects, and are incredibly efficient. Black bears have smaller paws, with smaller claws. Claw-Work – Black bear claws, and paws, also help differentiate between the two species.Usually, black bears are also smaller than brown bears. ![]() Brown bears have more narrow skulls, with flatter foreheads. Black bears have very broad, rounded skulls. Their heads also provide the next differentiation. Most black bears are black, and most brown bears are brown, but this isn’t always the case. The first is the most obvious, the color. Black Bears and Brown Bears – There are a few ways to tell the difference between black bears and brown bears.In fact, the most recent ancestor that the three shared lived over five million years ago! That’s a lot of time for animals to divide genetically. A Bear Apart – Black bears might share North America with brown bears and even polar bears, but they are not closely related.These common bears frequently share ranges with humans - learn more about why you should respect these bears rather than revile them. Black bears are apex predators, with a wide variety of interesting behaviors and adaptations. ![]()
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