Range
The American black bear can be found throughout the state of Oregon.
Description
A male black bear can weigh up to 300 pounds and stand 3 feet at the shoulder and 7 feet from nose-to-tail. Females are slightly smaller at between 150 and 250 pounds, 2 to 3 feet tall at the shoulders and 4 to 5 feet from nose-to-tail. Both genders are typically uniform in color except for a brown muzzle.
Diet and habitat
American black bears are omnivores, consuming a diet of plants, fruits, nuts, insects and honey, as well as salmon, small mammals and carrion. The black bear occurs mostly within forested areas in riparian, mixed conifer, lodgepole pine, aspen, white oak and mixed conifer-hardwood forest types. Dens are often in large stumps or hollow logs.
Predators and threats
They have few predators, although adult male black bears are a threat to young black bear cubs.
Reproduction
American black bears mate during the summer and typically only reproduce every second year. Gestation is 63 to 70 days, usually producing two cubs, which will remain with the mother for at least 1.5 years.