Panthers have territories, and male panthers actively defend their area and will not let other male panthers live there. The black bear is distinguished by amazing dexterity, speed and strength. Bears travel farthest when food is harder to find, especially in early spring. But beaver hunting is a rarely targeted prey for black bears – it’s more opportunistic kill. They are omnivores, meaning that they eat both plants and animals. However, the American black bear does have a varied diet. Why not check out our other fabulous wildlife articles where we cover all kinds of wildlife and nature questions. Some of the black bears also hunt white-tailed deer fawns and mule in certain areas. This includes ants, insects, and even seeds. helping people live responsibly with black bears. But their diet depends heavily on seasons and availability of food. But black bears are essentially omnivores that have a diet varying from plants, insects, fish, and animals.eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'rangerplanet_com-box-3','ezslot_2',108,'0','0'])); To be more specific, as ferocious as they might seem, a black bear’s diet consists of 90 percent of plant foods. In order to maintain this site and keep providing valuable information and learning tools, rangerplanet.com has become a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If there is water where they live they will exploit it for food. They will eat field grasses, roots, tubers, nuts, berries of all kinds, fruits, and other foods. A black bear mother may raise from one to five cubs that are born in a winter den. In winter around November and December, black bears return to their dens. However, removal is not a long-term solution. They build their dens in caves, burrows, tree trunks, and brush or grass nests. The skunk cabbage is also another special food for bears during spring. Black Black bear is a species, Ursus americanus, not a color. And at lower elevations, during spring even dandelions make a great snack for black bears. During spring and summer, bears eat around 5,000 calories a day, but in the fall, they are trying to eat up to 20,000 calories every day. Photo by Missouri Department of Conservation, A. Their continued presence means that they are likely finding and eating unsecured garbage, birdseed from feeders, pet foods, or other non-natural, human-provided foods. Bears have vision similar to us, and can see in color, too. Just like their Great Smoky Mountains counterparts, pregnant black bears in Glacier Bay give birth to their cubs in their dens. They will eat roots and tubers, but less than brown bears and grizzlies. American black bears will also feed on carrion left behind by other species, chasing the other animals away from a kill. And black bears also feed on any eggs left in nests by birds – if it’s at within their reach. This lengthened digestive tract allows the black bears to pull extra nutrition from plants. Playing dead is ALWAYS the wrong action if a black bear attacks you. Black bears do not leave the remains of their kills like other predators such as coyotes and wolves usually do. Help keep them wild by following these tips on. If given the opportunity they will attack (or threaten) other predators to scavenge their prey. This special timing helps black bears avoid the discomfort and provides them with a healthy happy snack. Thanks to conservation efforts their population in some areas, such as California, are on the increase. The only species of bear that lives in the Southeastern U.S. is the black bear (Ursus americanus). North American Black bears like to swim. If a black bear charges, stand your ground. Brown bears eat more in the fall before hibernation than they do in the spring when they awaken. It’s this season where black bears attempt to pack themselves with enough food in order to put on weight as much as possible – as a way of preparing for their long winter sleep. In colder parts of Alaska, black bears will hibernate for about seven months. Black bears only have a one-chambered stomach, unlike the four-chambered ungulates. While they’re hibernating, they recycle all of their waste products and actually heal any injuries they may have had when they turned in. Although large animals, black bears are surprisingly quick and agile. On the left is Gerald, one of my many animal friends. Bears may spend up to six months in hibernation, during which they do not eat, drink, or expel waste. In fall they eat any suitable food they find (hyperphagia) and in winter they barely eat. Some black bears move towards open wetland meadows. But they have adapted to many different habitats. When they are up in a tree she knows they are safe. So in this article, we’re going to cover what black bears eat, and their diet through each of the seasons. The further west you go, the more likely it is you could see brown, cinnamon, tan or blonde black bears. There are many species of game birds in North America, and they have been given this name as... Nightjars are extremely interesting birds and fierce hunters. In fact, black bears in urban areas are forgoing hibernation, as they’ve learned that people provide good food throughout the winter period, like bird seeds, pet food (dog food) and of course garbage to add to the list.