Black Bear Biology:  What's Under All That Fur?

 
Black Bears Are Mammals that can grow

• 

    approximately 1.2 to 2.1 meters long from nose to tail 

•   0.6 to 0.9 meters high at their withers (shoulders)

Black Bears Have A Unique Physical Appearance

• Body:  Chunky, round, stout, bulky and thickset

• Head:  Broad with a long straight facial profile and a long snout

  • Eyes:  Small black eyes
  • Muzzle:  tan or brown
  • Ears:  pointed and a lot larger than a Grizzly's
  • Nose:  A long snout that is tapered with long nostrils
  • Lips:  They don't have any gums, so they can easily twist and stretch their lips
  • Tongue:  They can manipulate their long tongues to help them pick berries off of shrubs

• Back:  A long pelage (coat ) and, unlike a Grizzly, they don't have a shoulder hump

• Claws:  Shorter and more curved claws than grizzlies. These assist them in climbing trees

• Legs:  Short, thick and powerful legs for climbing

• Tail:  Short and stubby

Source:  Bear Aware BC - Bears In BC - Hinterland

Black Bear Index

Black Bear Introduction
What Colour Are They?
What's Under All That Fur?
Black Bears In Action
Black Bear Activities
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