Meet the American Black Bear
Have you ever wondered what the largest wild neighbor in North Carolina is? You might be surprised to learn that black bears live right here, sharing forests, mountains, and wetlands with us.
There are three kinds of bears in North America — polar bears, brown (or grizzly) bears, and black bears — but black bears are the only ones that live in our state. Even though they are big and powerful, black bears mostly want to be left alone so they can stay wild.
Black bears are easy to recognize by their black fur and brown snouts, but they are much more than just their looks. Inside all that fur is a smart, strong animal with some amazing abilities.
Did you know?
- Black bears can run up to 35 miles per hour, even though they are very large.
- They are incredible climbers and can climb 100 feet up a tree in just 30 seconds.
- Their claws help them climb, dig, and find food.
- Black bears have an excellent sense of smell — much stronger than a human’s!
Black Bears Through the Seasons
Just like people change what they do during the year, black bears change with the seasons too.
In the spring, black bears wake up hungry after winter. They spend much of their time eating plants as their bodies become active again.
During the summer, bears eat berries and insects and move around their home range looking for food.
In the fall, black bears enter one of the busiest times of their year. They eat as much as they can to prepare for winter. Some bears may eat for up to 20 hours a day and can gain around 100 pounds in just a few weeks!
When winter arrives and temperatures drop, black bears may hibernate. They rest in dens such as hollow trees, fallen logs, or under thick briar patches. During hibernation, a bear’s heart rate slows way down, and they don’t need to wake up to eat. Their bodies even recycle waste and heal injuries while they sleep — a pretty amazing survival trick!
Why Black Bears Matter
Black bears are an important part of healthy ecosystems. As omnivores, they eat both plants and animals, helping spread seeds and clean up the forest by eating insects and carrion (dead animals). This helps keep nature in balance.
Most black bears are independent, meaning they spend much of their time alone. Instead of defending territory, they share their home range with other bears. Mama bears are the exception — they spend about a year and a half caring for their cubs, teaching them how to find food and stay safe. If you ever see a cub, remember that its mom is probably close by.
Sometimes people feel scared of black bears because of their size and sharp teeth, but black bears don’t want to interact with people — they want to stay wild. We can help by:
Protecting forests and wild spaces
Keeping trash cans and bird feeders secured
Giving bears space and enjoying them from a distance
Even when a black bear stands on its back legs, it’s usually just trying to see, smell, or hear better — not trying to be scary.
When we help black bears stay wild, we help keep nature healthy for everyone
Take a Closer Look!
Be BearWise!
Living near black bears means we get to share our home with an amazing wild animal — and that also means we need to be BearWise.
Being BearWise means making smart choices that help people and bears stay safe. Black bears have super strong noses, and when they smell food from houses instead of from the forest, they can get confused. That’s when bears may start looking for food in the wrong places.
Here’s how you can be BearWise:
Lock it up! Keep trash cans, pet food, and bird feeders secured so bears can’t smell them.
Keep wild food wild. Bears should find food in nature, not from people.
Give bears space. If you see a black bear, enjoy it from far away and never try to follow or feed it.
Stay calm. If a bear stands on its back legs, it’s usually just trying to see or smell better — not trying to scare you.
When we are BearWise, we help black bears stay wild and healthy — and that’s good for everyone who calls North Carolina home.
Create Black Bear Art
Do you want to create art that helps other people care about the black bear? You can create a black bear ornament with materials found right in your home! Watch the video to learn what to do!
Color It Wild
Ready to bring a black bear to life with color? Ask an adult to help you print the page so you can color it at home or in the classroom!
Explore Like a Black Bear
Download our Black Bear Scavenger Hunt to explore our natural world like a black bear would. Ask your grown up to help you download it!
