American Black Bear

The American black bear is the most common and widely distributed type of bear and are not always black. In fact, black bears can also be brown, blonde or even white. White black bears are called "Spirit Bears" and are generally rare. They are only found in Central and North British Columbia.

Black bears can stand between five to six feet tall and weigh over 500 pounds. They like to eat berries, fruit, fish and small mammals. Black bears will hibernate each winter at which time a mother will give birth to two young. In order to hibernate, especially for pregnant females, it is important to eat more in the months approaching winter. Their bodies will burn their fat resources while they sleep so they will not need to wake up during their hibernation to hunt for food.