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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
North American Black Bear Family Classified as: "Ursus americanus"
Height: On all four's: 3-4 ft. Standing: 4-7 ft.
Weight: Av male 425 lbs. Av female 200 lbs
Maturity: About 3 years old.
Mating: Mating occurs in Late June & Early July.
Gestation: About 7 months.
No. of Young: 1-5 cubs a year.
Habit: Solitary, but come together for breeding.
Diet: Omnivorous: [eats fruits, nuts, vegetables, breads & meat].
Lifespan: Up to 25 years.
Bear Country
A spectacular & unique wildlife park on 250 acres of the beautiful Black Hills, South Dakota, 13820 South Hwy. 16 (on road to Mt. Rushmore). There are over 200 black bear in this, the world's largest privately owned collection. In the wild, black bears live primarily in eastern forests, swamps, & western forests & wooded mountains. You rarely spot them higher than 7,000 feet. Their range is extensive: Most of Canada, s on the West Coast to n California, in Rocky Mountain states to Mexico, north MN, WI, & MI; New England, NY & PA through the Appalachians; the Southeast, most of Florida & s Louisiana.
The black bear is omnivorous. During autumn, they eat more than usual to gain body fat to sustain them through their "hibernation". Bears do not hibernate, but rather fall into a deep sleep from which they can awaken quickly. When food is abundant, they will eat up to 45 lbs. a day & put on 5 lbs. per day in preparation for winter. During "hibernation", the bear may only eat once a week, or if it is very cold he will not eat for a month. While "hibernating", the black bear does not urinate or defecate.
The cubs are born during "hibernation" in late Jan, weighing about 9 ounces & are the size of a stick of butter. From then on, they grow very quickly. In March, they weigh 3 - 5 lbs, by May they can be 12 - 20 lbs. Their weight will increase to about 75 lbs by the end of the summer. An adult male can weigh as much as 650 lbs, but usually around 450 - 500 pounds at full weight. The female's max weight will reach almost 400 lbs.
The black bear's name is deceptive. It is a species name & does not refer to their colour. They can range from pure black to cinnamon to blonde. Black bears in the East are nearly black, while those in the West are black to cinnamon with a white blaze on their chest. The black bears in Alaska can have a blue or white colour phase to blend with their snowy surroundings.
Unlike the grizzly, who does not climb trees except as a cub, the black bear is a very proficient climber. They will often sleep in the crotch of branches. Black bears are similar to hogs & are even named the same--males are boars & females are sows, but babies are called cubs.
Scanned in, cropped to 800x600, USM [300,1,0], slight adjustment of colour balance and contrast, resized and framed.
Hope you enjoy this bundle of energy as much as I did! Thanks. Tim |
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