American Black Bear
by Dirk P. Stewart
The Back Bear ranges the forests of Canada from Newfoundland to British
Columbia as well as much of the United States. Being a very solitary animal for most of the year, they pair up only during
the mating season. For about a year, cubs remain with their mother, who protects and prevents them from being killed by the
adult males.
Black Bears are very good swimmers, fast in a run, have a very good sense of smell, their hearing
is extremely good, but they are hindered by poor eyesight. Bears are active at all hours of the day, but are highly active
at night. When very young, the cubs cry when afraid and hum when contented and are very competitive with each other with one
of the siblings usually becoming dominant.
They have few enemies other than man, but the one creature they fear
the most is the Grizzly. Seldom do their territories overlap, but if encountered the Grizzly is given much caution and distance.
The incredible strength and power of the Black Bear is often forgotten by people, because of its cautious and secretive behaviour
and the ability to travel very silently through the forest make most Black Bear sightings a surprise.
The Black
Bears ability to walk on the soles of its feet causes it to be referred to spiritually by First Nations as "the beast that
walks like a man." During most of the year Black Bears are solitary, they pair up only during the spring/ summer mating season.
Choice
Black Bear habitat is a wooded area with shrub lands. Densities are greatest in mixed forests with various stages of growth,
which provide the best combination of food and other seasonal living requirements. Omnivorous, Black Bears will eat whatever
is available, but most of their food is vegetation, especially in late summer and autumn when berries and nuts are abundant.
They often climb trees to feed on young shoots, buds, and fruit. They also prey on young Moose and Deer in spring, and they
also eat small mammals, insects, and occasionally birds.
Many bears living near settlements often scavenge landfills
and dumpsites. Predators of Bears include male Black Bears (who after the mating have very little tolerance of other Black
Bears), Grizzlies, and occasionally Wolves and Lynx.
Originally ranging throughout most of Canada south of the
tree line, the Black Bear now occupies about 85% of its former range, having been forced or removed from the southern and
populated regions of most provinces.
In autumn Black Bears seek the shelter of a cave, rock crevice and outcrops,
hollow log or tree, wind thrown stump, or merely a mossy hollow under the low, sweeping branches of a Spruce or Fir for its
winter den. Spruce boughs, twigs, wood, and mossy earth for bedding are scraped into the den. During winter hibernation the
females give birth to one to four cubs, they remain in the den with their mother until spring.
Dirk P Stewart is a multitalented Miramichier. A singer, songwriter, musician, folklorist,
entrepreneur and more, Dirk works with the Mighty Kent online community. To comment on this article email dirk@mightykent.com
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