Black bear biology

Originally published July 24, 2001

- Color: All bears in the Olympic National Park are black with a brown muzzle -- elsewhere black bears range in color from blond to black.

- Size: Five to six feet long, and two to three feet tall at the shoulder. Adult males may vary from 150 to 300 pounds, but average 225 pounds. Females average 130 pounds, and yearlings average 60 to 75 pounds.

- Denning: The bears den in late November or December depending on weather -- some bears in lower elevations may not den at all.

- Reproduction: Bears begin breeding at 4 or 5 years of age and every other year after that. They breed in the spring, and one or two babies are born in January. At birth, the bears weigh about 1 pound each and are bald, blind and helpless. They develop in the den during the rest of the winter, feeding on the mother's rich milk, and emerge in late March.

- Cubs: They stay with the mother during the summer and in the den the following winter. The following spring she kicks them out so she can breed again.

- Diet: Primarily vegetarians, they eat a lot of berries, as well as small plants, insects and carrion and may kill fawns or elk calves.

Bear signs

- Scat: The droppings are 4 inches long, about 2 inches around, usually one or two food types. In spring it may be a large, dark green patty and sometimes it may be all berries.

- Tracks: The front paw tracks are 3.5 to 5 inches across and 4 inches long. A row of five toes -- similar to the front part of human foot -- with claw marks close to the toes. Rear tracks are 3.5 to 5 inches across and 7 to 8 inches long -- similar to a human foot but wider -- with toes claw marks and heel pad.

- Bear trees: Usually found along trails and near roads. On large trees at lease 15 inches in diameter, male bear will bite and scratch the bark at about head level about 5 feet above the ground. They often mark the same tree every year creating a scar -- if it appears fresh, a bear is probably in the area.

- Other signs: Rocks rolled over, tree stumps torn up by bears looking for insects.

- Behavior: In back country with little human disturbance, bears are active during the day, especially early in the day and at dusk. Where human disturbance is frequent, bears are more often nocturnal.

Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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