Category
The American black bear, also known as the baribal, is a species of medium-sized bear
Habitat
The Allegheny National Forest, the Pocono Mountains, and the Appalachian Mountains
Typically black but can also have brown or cinnamon fur
Adult males weigh around 500 pounds, and females up to 300 pounds
They have curved, solid claws for climbing trees and digging, and their sense of smell is highly acute
solitary animals and prefer to live in forested areas near streams or rivers
Opportunistic omnivores and will eat just about anything, from nuts and berries to small mammals, insects, and carrion
Known to raid human garbage cans and bird feeders, which can result in conflicts between humans and bears
When confronted, black bears will usually retreat, but they can become bold or aggressive if they feel threatened or cornered
It’s essential for humans to avoid feeding bears and to store food sources away from their reach to prevent unwanted bear encounters