BLACK BEARS
	Information extracted from Park Service Information Paper YELL-466 BLACK BEAR Ursus americanus The question most frequently asked by the park visitor is, "Where can I see a bear?" For this is most probably the park's best known animal.

The Black Bear, regardless of how friendly he may seem, is a dangerous, wild animal, capable of inflicting severe injury by one blow of his powerful paw or a bite from his well- armed jaws. A visitor who feeds or even approaches a bear too closely not only is risking injury to himself but is contributing to a condition that may cause the injury of an innocent visitor in the future. Feeding is also violating regulations which have been established in an attempt to provide protection for the visitor and the animal.

The cinnamon and brown bears of this country are simply color phases of the black bear, the blondes and brunettes of the family. The various colors are frequently intermixed in the same family; hence it is a common occurrence to see a black bear female with brown cubs, a brown and a black cub, or even all three colors.

The bears hibernate during the winter months, usually from late October or November to March or April depending upon the weather conditions. In the fall they put on a thick layer of fat, which furnishes the needed nourishment during the winter. During this hibernation they are not in a deep sleep as has sometimes been thought. They remain conscious and although sleepy are frequently restless and move around occasionally. Hibernation dens are usually in caves, or under windfalls, buildings, or other protected places.

It is during hibernation that the young are born, usually in January. At first the cubs are very small, only about eight inches long, weighing from eight to twelve ounces and are naked, blind, and helpless. The black bear usually has two cubs though occasionally, one, three, or four. The cubs grow rapidly and are able to follow their mother around when she comes out of hibernation. The female is a good mother and it is extremely dangerous to come between her and the cubs. She makes the cubs mind, spanking them vigorously if they fail to do so. The cubs hibernate with their mother their first winter and then are usually weaned by the next summer. The female black bear has a new litter of cubs only every two or three years.

These animals are omnivorous, eating anything that comes their way, grass, fruit, berries, roots, mammals, birds, carrion, grubs and ants, fish, frogs, etc.

General Description: A medium sized bear, with considerable variation in color, from glossy black to cinnamon brown or yellowish, often with a brown muzzle. Claws of forefeet curved and slightly longer than those of hind feet. It's generally smaller size, straight facial profile and lack of shoulder hump distinguishes the black from the grizzly bear. Adult blacks can climb trees readily. Sexes are alike in appearances, with total length of about 60 inches and weight from 200 to 400 pounds, occasionally over.

Terms: Male- boar; Female- sow; young- cubs

Where Found: Throughout the park. It is possible to see them any time, night or day but it is dangerous to approach them too closely at any time; a mother with cubs is doubly dangerous.

PARK REGULATIONS PROHIBIT THE FEEDING OR MOLESTING OF BEARS
It is unlawful to get closer than 100 meters (yards)to a bear.