American Black Bear

Size

Length from 5 to 6 feet (152 to 183 cm)

Habitat

Forested areas

Diet

Omnivorous

Predators

Mountain Lions, wolves, other black bears; historically Grizzly bears (no longer found in Utah)

General Biology

Male black bears (boars) are between five and six feet long and two to three feet (61-91 cm) tall. They typically weigh between 100 and 300 pounds (45-105 kg). Females (sows) range in weight between 100 and 175 pounds (45-75 kg). Cubs usually weigh between seven ounces and one pound (0.2-0.45 kg) at birth. Black bears are the smallest of the North American bears but are also found almost anywhere on the continent. The adult black bear has small eyes, rounded ears, a long snout, a large body, and a short tail. As their name indicates, these bears generally have shaggy black hair, but may range in color from white to cinnamon to brown to black. In Utah, they range in color from reddish brown to black. Black bears walk on the soles of their feet and have non-retractable claws. They have poor eyesight but an acute sense of smell.

Behavior

In Utah, black bears are usually found in forested areas between 7,000 and 10,000 feet (2,100 to 3,050 meters) in elevation. They have a large range and will travel broadly in search of food. They are omnivores and opportunistic. Their diet consists of nuts, berries, small insects and grubs. They also feed on carcasses that they find. They are corpuscular – that is, they are most active -- at dawn and dusk. Black bears generally mate in June or July but have the ability to delay fertilization until they den. Sows give birth to up to four cubs while denning in January or February. Sows will generally tend their young for 18 months and mate every two years. Black bears will den when food becomes scarce, usually in late October for sows or mid-November for boars. They will emerge from their dens in March or April. Black bears technically do not hibernate but enter a state of torpor – or deep rest – while denning in the winter. They den in caves, under piles of rock or under uprooted trees. They may leave their dens for short periods during the winter months.

Conservation

While black bears in Utah are common, due to hunting, their numbers have declined leading to be placed on the “Protected Species” list by the Utah legislature in 1967 where they remain to this day. Hunting remains legal outside of national parks and is limited by annual permits. As a national park, Bryce Canyon serves as a refuge for all wildlife.

When and Where to See

Black bear sightings in Bryce Canyon National Park are rare. If you do see a black bear, you are encouraged to report your sighting at the Park’s Visitor Center or through the Park website. If you encounter a black bear while visiting the park, NEVER RUN or climb a tree. Generally, if you stretch out your arms and make noise, you will successfully scare away the bear. Due to their opportunistic nature and voracious appetite, you should be clean in your outdoor habits, especially while camping or picnicking, by packing away food items and other smellable items that may attract wildlife. Bears will quickly become habituated to human food, leading to a nuisance and could lead ultimately to their removal or death.