Black bears undoubtedly evolved as a forest animal and are anatomically and behaviorally adapted to forests. These adaptations convey survival advantage in response to threats of predation on the young. Tree-climbing ability is apparent in cubs when they first emerge from the den and they will quickly climb when a threat appears. The sow need only wait nearby and return after the threat passes, thus protecting both herself and her young without direct confrontation.

Litter size ranges from 1 to 4 young, averaging from 1.4 in Arkansas to 3.0 in Pennsylvania. First litters may be small, sometimes a single cub. Two or 3 cubs are typical thereafter. Five-cub litters are uncommon; extraordinary litters of 6 cubs have been reported in Manitoba and Pennsylvania. Average litter sizes in 2 Massachusetts study areas were 2.0 and 3.0. Two 5-cub litters have been reported in Massachusetts, once in the den and another in the field.

A female black bear can produce a litter of up to five cubs every 2 years. The average number of cubs is 2 or 3. In Minnesota, 2.5 is average. Cubs are born in January or February. They rely on their mother's body heat for warmth and her rich milk (33% fat) for food until it is time to emerge from the den in the spring. The black bear is the only mammal to lactate (produce milk) for about 3 months without eating.

Attacks or threatened "bluff" attacks in campgrounds, along roadsides, or similar developed areas usually occur because people are too close to the bear, or because the bear wants the person's food items. Backing away while keeping an eye on the bear usually addresses the animal's concern about your proximity to it. If the bear is persistent in its attempts to get your food, it is best to comply. Report the bear's behavior to officials.

Either sex will make a good pet, but in general I'd recommend the Black Mouth Cur with the best temperament. Both sexes have their advantages and disadvantages. It is up to you, the prospective buyer, and the responsible breeder to make the best match possible. If I were going to be primarily hunting I would want a male. Male BMCs are usually more easy-going in behavior and you don't have to worry about the semiannual problem of a female.

That depends on you or others in the home. Each of us react differently to moulds. All moulds are allergins. Some moulds have mycotoxins that are harmful. You should consult with a doctor trained in this area.

Black bears can run surprisingly fast. Unless the person is very close to a vehicle or sturdy structure, and the bear is far away, it can easily catch the person if it wants to. While most bears are tolerant, food-conditioned bears may be aggressive and chase people who intrude on the animal's personal space, or to get people to drop or throw food items. Consequently, it is unwise to run from a black bear.

This question is asked a lot. The answer varies some depending on the time of year. At his hibernation weight going into early winter (November - December) our best guess is around 500 pounds. His summer weight could be as much as 70 pounds less than that.

Black bear "attacks" on humans are both defensive and offensive. Defensive attacks are fairly common, especially in parks, campgrounds, and similar situations where humans and black bears are brought into close contact and bears are habituated or conditioned to humans and human foods. Injuries, typically minor scratches, occur when people crowd, pet, or hand-feed bears and intrude on the animal's personal space.

Unprovoked attacks on humans by black bears are very rare. Dozens of minor injuries have occurred when people petted or crowded black bears that they were feeding or photographing. Considering their size and strength, black bears show amazing restraint with humans and each other. In the last century, there were only 40 deaths in all of North America that were caused by black bears.

Have you ever been to a disco / party where the DJ used a long purple fluorescent tube that made anything white shine in the dark? That was Black-Light i.e. an Ultra-Violet light). Black-lights 'shine' Ultra-Violet light of which there are three kinds; A, B and C. The two most often referred to are B and C. These are the potentially harmful forms of UV, against which you should protect yourself when sunbathing etc.

Bears are adaptable, curious, capable of rapid learning, have excellent long-term memories and exhibit a wide degree of behavioral "plasticity" (i.e., ability to adapt their behavior to changing circumstances). These behavioral characteristics are integral to understanding and managing many problem bear situations. Vocalizations, gestures, and mock charges are typical expressions of frustration, conflict, and stress.

Despite the remarkable recovery and restoration of the black bear throughout much of North America, we should not become complacent. Both in the long term and the short term, there are direct and indirect threats to black bears, their habitats, and to the environment as a whole.

In East Tennessee, the most reliable place to see a black bear is to visit the Knoxville Zoo. Their bear habitat, Black Bear Falls, is a first rate natural setting. If you are in North Carolina, you may also want to vist Mimi in her new home. Most people are surprised at how difficult it is to get a good photograph of a bear or wild animal. Good wildlife photographers know the secret to a good photograph is to be quiet and patient and let the bear come within your photographic range.

The size of the home range varies depending upon the abundance of food. In an area with lots of berry and nut producing plants a territory will be smaller than in an area with scarce food supplies. Yearling females often share the territory of their mothers, but young males may travel far to find their own territories. In Minnesota, a sow's home range is 2-6 square miles. The breeding territory of an adult male can cover over 100 square miles to overlap with many female home ranges.

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Yes. The North American black bear is found only on this continent in association with forested landscapes. Scientists have identified 11 different subspecies of black bear, including the Kermode or spirit bear, in which about 1 bear in 10 is white or cream coloured. It is the unusually high occurrence of white bears in the population that makes the spirit bear unique, as white bears do occur very rarely in other populations of black bears in North America.