American black bear

Ursus americanus

Black bears are the smallest and most common bear native to North America. They range from northern Alaska across Canada to the Atlantic Ocean, and south through most of the United States and into Mexico. They prefer remote, inaccessible areas. Because they are omnivores and consume large amounts of food, they require a mix of habitats such as forests, meadows, swamps, burned areas and avalanche chutes.

Black bears can be brown, cinnamon, blonde, creamy-white or bluish-gray. They do not go into a deep hibernation in winter, in fact, some do not den up at all.

Black bear behavior and facts

  • Bear muzzles are usually paler than their fur.
  • Black bears are diurnal (active during the day) but may be nocturnal (active at night) in areas with human food sources such as garbage dumps or farms, or in areas occupied by grizzly bears. 
  • As omnivores, their teeth are adapted to meat and plants. Flat, grinding molars at the back of their mouth pulverize plants and nuts. Huge canine teeth at the front rip chunks of meat off bones.
  • They are territorial, with good navigation skills and senses of smell.
  • Because of the large amount of food needed to sustain them, they are solitary, but may share overlapping home ranges. If food is plentiful, bears may come together..
  • Males are most aggressive during breeding season.
  • Other than humans, black bear have few predators. Grizzly bears, mountain lions and gray wolves sometimes prey on black bear cubs. Bears may kill each other for food, to reduce competition for scarce resources or, in rare cases, for mates.

Black bear diet

  • The black bear's diet varies with the seasons and their location. They are opportunistic, meaning they will eat whatever is available.
  • Spring diet: grasses, tree buds and tender shoots from trees like aspen, cottonwood and poplar, and forbs (broad-leafed herbaceous plants)
  • Summer diet: soft mast (berries from shrubs such as huckleberries, strawberries) and insects
  • Fall and winter: hard mast (acorns and other nuts; seeds like pine nuts)
  • If food is scarce in the winter, black bears can slow their metabolism and spend months sleeping inside a den.
  • In any season, they’ll eat leftovers from other carnivores (carrion). When other food sources are scarce, they’ll hunt mammals including squirrels, feral pigs, elk or domestic animals. They may also eat from garbage dumps, agricultural crops and orchards.

From birth to death

  • Bears become more social during their breeding season in June and July.
  • Litters: 1 to 5 cubs (usually 2) every other year if enough food is available to support a pregnancy.
  • Gestation: approximately 220 days with a five-month implantation delay and an eight-week gestation
  • Lifespan: approximately 10 years in the wild; in captivity bears can live into their 20s

Vital statistics

  • Black bears can reach up to 6 feet tall.
  • Weight:
    Males: 150 to 600 pounds
    Females: 90 to 200 pounds


CITES Appendix II

Black bears, the Oregon Zoo and you

The zoo’s black bears live in Black Bear Ridge. Their diet includes red meat, fish, fruit, veggies, fresh greens, and omnivore chow; a mix of foods, similar to dog chow, produced specifically to meet the dietary needs of omnivorous animals. Humans are the largest threat to bears through hunting, poaching and motor vehicle accidents.


Takoda is a male American black bear. He was orphaned in Montana, and due to close interactions with humans, was deemed a hazard if released into wild. Takoda, whose name means "friend to all" in Sioux, arrived at the Oregon Zoo in November 2010. He can be identified by a large white "V" on his chest...


Cubby is a male American black bear born at the Chahinkapa Zoo in North Dakota. He was transferred to the Hogle Zoo (Salt Lake City, Utah) in 2003, and arrived at the Oregon Zoo in May 2010. Cubby was named Oregon Zoo's Father of the Year in 2011 after "adopting" Takoda, a behavior rarely seen in male black bears in the wild...


Tuff is a male American black bear born on a private breeder's property in Missouri. He was illegally sold and confiscated by officials. Tuff was transferred to the Hogle Zoo (Salt Lake City, Utah) in 2003, and arrived at the Oregon Zoo in May 2010...


Dale is a female American black bear found orphaned as a cub in Minnesota in April 2001. Due to close interactions with humans, she was deemed a hazard if released into wild. Dale arrived at the Oregon Zoo in May 2010 from Hogle Zoo (Salt Lake City, Utah)...