THE AMERICAN BLACK BEAR – URSUS AMERICANUS
Black bear cubs are cute and start out little, but grow into their full wild and dangerous selves as they mature. Our black bears were orphaned wild bear cubs that were habituated and fed by humans. For this reason they are not good candidates for release as they lack a fear of humans that would bring them into populated areas. Their hunger for human food would have labeled them as nuisance bears and they faced euthanasia if we hadn’t provided a space for them.
Meet OSCAR
Oscar is a black bear, although his coat is brown. Despite their name, black bears can vary in color from black to brown, cinnamon and even what is known as glacier blue and appears silver. Oscar was reported to Fish and Wildlife as a young cub when he was spotted rummaging through some trash bins outside an abandoned garage. After some research it was found that he had been abandoned and at his age would not make it in the wild. Too young for successful rehabilitation, Oscar was brought to Cat Tales at less than a year old and today is often seen enjoying a swim or munching on some fresh fruit, his favorite snack! Born February 2003.
Meet OSO-much-trouble
Oso, meaning bear in Spanish, was given his name for being O-so much trouble! Quite the rambunctious cub, Oso came to us from a private owner at just over a year old, weighing bear-ly twenty lbs. Oso was being kept illegally and housed in a bathtub. An obviously bad environment for the bear, he suffered from a lack of proper nutrition, which is what caused him to be so underweight when rescued. Since his rough start in life, he was brought to Cat Tales to stabilize but was too dependent on humans to go to the wild. To this day Oso possesses a VERY healthy appetite due to his early years dealing with malnourishment. Born February 2004.
Black Bear Facts
The American Black Bear - Ursus americanus
Habitat: Forested areas of North America;
Lifespan: Wild 10-20 years; Captivity 15-30 years;
Diet: Omnivore;
Status: Least concern;
Interesting facts about black bears:
Black bears can run up to 35 miles per hour, climb trees with ease, and swim long distances.
They have an incredible sense of smell, which is seven times stronger than a bloodhound.
Black bears are not always black; they can come in a range of colors, from black to brown, cinnamon, and even white.
They have a lifespan of up to 30 years in the wild.
Black bears are omnivores and eat a variety of foods, including fruits, nuts, insects, small mammals, fish, and carrion.
They have an excellent memory and can remember food sources for several years.
Black bears have a unique way of hibernating. They don't sleep through the winter but instead enter a state of torpor, where their body temperature and metabolism slow down, and they become inactive.
Black bears are solitary animals, except for mothers with cubs.
They are excellent tree climbers and can climb trees to escape predators, find food, or rest.
Black bears are not true hibernators, and they can wake up and move around during their hibernation period.
Debunking common myths and misconceptions:
Myth: Black bears are always aggressive and dangerous.
Reality: Black bears are generally shy and avoid humans. They only become aggressive when they feel threatened or provoked.
Myth: Playing dead is the best defense against a black bear attack.
Reality: Playing dead is not always the best option. In some cases, it may work, but in other cases, the bear may continue to attack.
Myth: Black bears are more likely to attack humans than other bear species.
Reality: Black bears are less likely to attack humans than other bear species, such as grizzly bears.
Myth: Feeding black bears makes them less dangerous.
Reality: Feeding black bears is not recommended as it can make them more aggressive towards humans and reliant on human food sources.
Myth: If a black bear stands on its hind legs, it's about to attack.
Reality: Standing on its hind legs is a defensive posture, and the bear is likely trying to get a better look or smell of its surroundings.
Myth: Black bears are not found in the eastern United States.
Reality: Black bears are found throughout North America, including the eastern United States.
Myth: Black bears are not good climbers.
Reality: Black bears are excellent climbers and can easily climb trees to escape predators or find food.
Myth: Black bears only come out at night.
Reality: Black bears are active during the day and night and can be seen at any time of the day.
