Black Bear
Classification
Class: Mammalian Order: Carnivore
Average Size
Length: 5-6 ft Height: 2-3 ft. on all fours
Weight: Memales 100-300lbs., Males 150-590 lbs.
Food: Fruits, berries, acorns, nuts, corn, leaves, roots, honey, insects, frogs, reptiles, grasses, grubs, larvae, seeds, carrion, fish, small mammals.
Breeding: Males called boars, females called sows. Become sexually mature in 2 to 3 years. Mate in July. Males mate with several females, females breed every other year. Gestation period is 7 months
(Fetus actively develops for only 30-45 days).
Young: Called Cubs. Litter size is 1-5, usually 2 or 3. Eyes remain closed for 25 days, weaned at 7 months. Cubs are 6-12ozs. When born, gain 50 pounds in 6 months. Cubs usually stay with their mother through their first winter. In early spring, the mother and year old cubs separate and she will mate again in July. The yearlings may stay together for another year.
Life Expectancy: Average 4-5 years, few live longer than 10 years. Oldest wild bear was 26.