Black Bear (Ursus americanus)

Black bears are the smallest and most common North American bear in Canada and the only bear found in Nova Scotia. Bears that frequent dumps or park areas can be extremely dangerous. They are good swimmers and climbers and can sprint short distances at speeds up to 56 km/h.

Standing about one metre at the shoulder and two metres long, males may weigh as much as 220 kg (450 lbs). Females weigh about 140 kg (300 lbs).

Black bears are solitary animals. They pair up to mate in early summer. Bears can mate every year, however, cubs are usually born every second year.

Bears predominantly eat vegetation, but will eat small mammals, eggs, insects and carrion. They eat in great quantities to build up fat reserves to hold them through the winter.

Bears begin to den up in late fall, where they usually stay all winter. Although not true hibernators, their body temperature drops by 4 to 5 C and their breathing drops to as little as 2 to 4 breaths per minute. Their metabolism slows and they are fully unconscious but will awaken if disturbed.

Cubs are born in late January to early March. Usually 1 to 2 cubs are born, weighing only 250 gr but will grow rapidly to 3 kg at six weeks of age. By 5 months, the cubs have been weaned and by 6 months they are feeding themselves but stay with their mother for another year.