Like many fiction authors, I've taken liberties with my portrayal of characters in my book, the black bears in particular. But as a nature lover and environmentalist, I think it’s important for the reader to understand the reality of these majestic creatures.
In works of film and literature, black bears tend to be lumped together with other members of the Ursinae in their depiction as fearsome predators. The truth is that Ursus americanus is a highly intelligent, curious mammal that has adapted well to its ever-changing habitat. Normally found in heavily forested areas like that depicted in my book, they are found in over 30 American states, northern Mexico and throughout Canada.
The male is the larger of the sexes and ranges from 130 to over 500 pounds. Females typically weigh 90 to 300 pounds. Most bears are black with a brown muzzle, although some may have fur that is chocolate brown, cinnamon colored or, in rare cases, even lighter shades. Some have a white patch on the chest. They lack the noticeable hump characteristic of the grizzly.
Mating occurs from late May to July with pairs staying together for mere hours or a few days. Pregnancy lasts about 220 days and cubs, normally two or three to a litter, are born in the den in January or early February. The cubs weigh less than a pound and have startling blue eyes. They remain in the den until April when hibernation ends and they leave in search of food. Cubs subsist on their mother’s milk until June when they begin eating solid food, but stay with their mothers for two winters. Bears are omnivores, eating a variety of foods including grass, leaves, ant pupae, berries, wild fruits, acorns and other nuts. They may eat meat or scavenge carcasses, and when food is scarce, they look to other sources such as garbage dumpsters and trash receptacles where humans have discarded refuse.
Unlike other bears, black bears rarely growl (although they are often depicted as doing so for dramatic impact.) They have a large repertoire of vocalizations including grunts, squeals, moans, purrs, blowing, chomping and clacking their teeth. You can hear an amazing sample of bear sounds on the NorthAmericanBearCenter website. Check it out!
Black bears have large brains for their body size and demonstrate excellent long-term memory and navigational skills. They have good smelling ability, good close-up vision and they see in color. Generally athletic creatures, they are good climbers, good swimmers and can run up to 30 mph. In the wild, bears can live 21 to 33 years, although most adults die before that due to human-related causes such as hunting or collisions with cars.
They start to become lethargic in September and enter their dens in October. During hibernation, their kidneys virtually shut down as their heart rate slows to 8 beats a minute and they draw only one breath every 45 seconds, yet they remain only semi-asleep. Sows with cubs, in particular, are cognizant of anything approaching their dens. Bears living in warm climates where food is available year round may not hibernate at all.
Attacks on humans are extremely rare and most human-bear encounters are harmless, if thrilling, occurrences. Despite their impressive claws and sharp canine teeth, bears use these mainly to tear apart rotting logs as they search for ant larvae. Most reported problems with bears come when human populations expand into bear country and destroy or limit their habitat—and food sources. When bears are hungry and desperate for food, trash receptacles become a virtual smorgasbord. Can we really blame them for trying to survive?
Though not endangered, black bears are hunted in many states and I find it a shame to kill such magnificent creatures for sport or trophies. As individual citizens, we can each do our part to aid these beautiful animals by leaving only our footprints behind when we enter their habitat and by opposing urban sprawl into bear country. Respecting their right to exist and thrive is the humane and compassionate thing to do.
If you’d like to learn more about Ursus americanus, check out these terrific websites:
Vintage Postcards (top): "mother bear and her three cubs", Sanborn Souvenir Co, circa 1941; (middle) "black bear stealing his lunch in Great Smoky Mountains National Park", Asheville Post Card Co., undated; (bottom) "black bear in tree in Yellowstone National Park", J.E. Haynes, circa 1923
