Ursus americanus
Description
- A medium-sized bear, black or brown in color
- snout brownish in the black color phase;
- front claws slightly longer than the hind claws, curved, adapted for climbing;
- profile of face nearly straight, not "dished-in" as in the grizzly;
- fur long and rather coarse.
Habits
Largely creatures of woodland and forested areas, black bears are more
at home on the ground than they are in the trees. They are expert climbers,
however, especially when young, and often seek refuge in trees. In the
colder parts of their range, black bears are inactive for a part of the
winter. They "hole up" in a hollow downed tree, under a shelving
rock, or in some other suitable site, and they do
not exhibit the characteristics of true hibernation (their temperature
does not drop markedly nor are the heartbeat and respiratory rate reduced).
They may awaken and become active during a warm spell in midwinter and
return to the nest to sleep again when the temperature drops.
Range
Black bears have a rather extensive range
throughout North America. However, they are only found in the mountains
in the northeast corner of Georgia.