|
Scientific name | Common name | Distribution | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Ursus americanus altifrontalis | Olympic black bear | The Pacific Northwest coast from central British Columbia through northern California and inland to the tip of northern Idaho and British Columbia | |
Ursus americanus amblyceps | New Mexico black bear | Colorado, New Mexico, western Texas and the eastern half of Arizona into northern Mexico and southeastern Utah | |
Ursus americanus americanus | Eastern black bear | Eastern Montana to the Atlantic coast, from Alaska south and east through Canada to Maine and south to Texas | Common to Eastern Canada |
Ursus americanus californiensis | California black bear | The mountain ranges of southern California, north through the Central Valley to southern Oregon | Able to live in varied climates: found in temperate rain forest in the north and chaparral |
Ursus americanus carlottae | Haida Gwaii black bear or Queen Charlotte Islands black bear | The Haida GwaiiQueen Charlotte Islands) and Alaska | Generally larger than its mainland counterparts with a huge skull and molars and found only in a black color phase.[18] |
Ursus americanus cinnamomum | Cinnamon bear | Colorado, Idaho, western Montana and Wyoming, eastern Washington and Oregon and northeastern Utah | Has brown or reddish-brown fur, reminiscent of cinnamon. |
Ursus americanus emmonsii | Glacier bear | Southeastern Alaska | Distinguished by its fur being silvery-gray with a blue luster found mostly on its flanks.[19] |
Ursus americanus eremicus | East Mexican black bear | Northeastern Mexico and U.S. borderlands with Texas. Critically endangered. | Most often found in Big Bend National Park |
Ursus americanus floridanus | Florida black bear | Florida, southern Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi (except the southern region) | Has a light brown nose and shiny black fur. A white blaze on the chest is common in this subspecies. An average male weighs 136 kg (300 lb). |
Ursus americanus hamiltoni | Newfoundland black bear | Newfoundland | Generally bigger than its mainland relatives, ranging in size from 90 to 270 kg (200 to 600 lb) and averaging 135 kg (298 lb). It has one of the longest hibernation periods of any bear in North America.[20] Known to favor foraging in fields of Vaccinium species. |
Ursus americanus kermodei | Kermode bear or spirit bear | The central coast of British Columbia | Approximately 10% of the population of this subspecies have white or cream-colored coats due to a recessive gene and are called "Kermode bears" or "spirit bears". The other 90% appear as normal-colored black bears.[21] |
Ursus americanus luteolus | Louisiana black bear | Eastern Texas, Louisiana and southern Mississippi The validity of this subspecies has been repeatedly debated.[1] | Has relatively long, narrow and flat skull and proportionately large molars.[22] Prefers hardwood bottom forests and bayous |
Ursus americanus machetes | West Mexican black bear | North-central Mexico | |
Ursus americanus perniger | Kenai black bear | The Kenai Peninsula, Alaska | |
Ursus americanus pugnax | Dall Island black bear | Dall Island in the Alexander Archipelago, Alaska | |
Ursus americanus vancouveri | Vancouver Island black bear | Vancouver Island, British Columbia | Found in the northern section of the island, but it occasionally will appear in the suburbs of the Victoria metropolitan area |
Historically, American black bears occupied the majority of North America's forested regions. Today, they are primarily limited to sparsely settled, forested areas.[23] American black bears currently inhabit much of their original Canadian range, though they seldom occur in the southern farmlands of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba; they have been extirpated on Prince Edward Island[24] The total Canadian black bear population is between 396,000 and 476,000,[25] based on surveys taken in the mid-1990s in seven Canadian provinces, though this estimate excludes American black bear populations in New Brunswick, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan[23]
The current range of American black bears in the United States is constant throughout most of the northeast and within the Appalachian Mountains almost continuously from Maine to northern Georgia, the northern Midwest, the Rocky Mountain region, the West Coast and Alaska[24] However, it becomes increasingly fragmented or absent in other regions. Despite this, American black bears in those areas seem to have expanded their range during the last decade, such as with recent sightings in Ohio[24] and southern Indiana,[26] though these probably do not yet represent stable breeding populations. Sightings of itinerant American black bears in the Driftless Area of southeast Minnesota, northeast Iowa, and southwest Wisconsin[27][28] In the spring of 2019, biologists with the Iowa Department of Natural ResourcesDecorah[29][30]
Surveys taken from 35 states in the early 1990s indicate that American black bears are either stable or increasing, except in Idaho and New Mexico[31] though this excludes populations from Alaska, Idaho, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming[23] In the state of Californiacontiguous United States[32][33]
As of 1993, known Mexican black bear populations existed in four areas, though knowledge on the distribution of populations outside those areas has not been updated since 1959. Mexico is the only country where the American black bear is classified as "endangered".[23]
There have been several sightings quite far away from where the American black bear is normally found, such as Union County, North Carolina[34][35] and western Nebraska[36]
Throughout their range, habitats preferred by American black bears have a few shared characteristics. They are often found in areas with relatively inaccessible terrain, thick understory vegetation and large quantities of edible material (especially mastsshort-faced beargrizzly bear, that monopolized more open habitats[37] and the historic presence of larger predators, such as Smilodon and the American lionperi-urban[4][page needed]
In most of the contiguous United States, American black bears today are usually found in heavily vegetated mountainous areas, from 400 to 3,000 m (1,300 to 9,800 ft) in elevation. For American black bears living in the American Southwest and Mexico, habitat usually consists of stands of chaparral and pinyon juniper woodsprickly pear cactusSoutheastern United StatesAppalachian Mountains survive in predominantly oak-hickory and mixed mesophyticFlorida, the Carolinas and Louisiana), bears inhabit a mixture of flatwoods, bays
In the northeast part of the range (United States and Canada), prime habitat consists of a forest canopy of hardwoods such as beech, maple, birch and coniferousCornwhite cedarredwood, Sitka spruce and hemlocksmeadows, high tidelands, riparian areasspruce-fir forest dominates much of the range of the American black bear in the Rockiessubalpine ridgetops
In areas where human development is relatively low, such as stretches of Canada and Alaska[37] In parts of northeastern Canada, especially Labrador[4][page needed]
The skulls of American black bears are broad, with narrow muzzles and large jaw hinges. In Virginia[37] Across its range, the greatest skull length for the species has been reportedly measured from 23.5 to 35 cm (9.3 to 13.8 in).[4][page needed] Females tend to have slenderer and more pointed faces than males. Their claws are typically black or grayish-brown. The claws are short and rounded, being thick at the base and tapering to a point. Claws from both hind and front legs are almost identical in length, though the foreclaws tend to be more sharply curved. The paws of the species are relatively large, with a rear foot length of 13.7 to 22.5 cm (5.4 to 8.9 in), which is proportionately larger than other medium-sized bear species, but much smaller than the paws of large adult brown, and especially polar, bears.[4][page needed] The soles of the feet are black or brownish and are naked, leathery and deeply wrinkled. The hind legs are relatively longer than those of Asian black bears. The vestigial tail is usually 4.8 inches (120 mm) long. The ears are small and rounded and are set well back on the head.
American black bears are highly dexterous[39] They move in a rhythmic, sure-footed[40] American black bears have good eyesight and have been proven experimentally to be able to learn visual color discrimination tasks faster than chimpanzees and just as fast as domestic dogs[41]
American black bear weight tends to vary according to age, sex, health and season. Seasonal variation in weight is very pronounced: in autumn, their pre-den weight tends to be 30% higher than in spring, when black bears emerge from their dens. American black bears on the East Coast tend to be heavier on average than those on the West Coast, although American black bears follow Bergmann's rule[4][page needed][42]
In the state of California[37] Adult American black bears in Yukon Flats National Wildlife RefugeAlaskaKuiu Island in southeast Alaska (where nutritious salmon[43][44] In Great Smoky Mountains National Park[45] In one of the largest studies on regional body mass, bears in British Columbia[46] In Yellowstone National Park[47] Black bears in north-central Minnesota[48] In New York[49][page needed] It was found in Nevada and Lake Tahoe[50] In Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta[51][page needed] Adults typically range from 120 to 200 cm (47 to 79 in) in head-and-body length, and 70 to 105 cm (28 to 41 in) in shoulder height. The typically small tail is 7.7–17.7 cm (3.0–7.0 in) long.[39][52][53][54] Although they are the smallest bear species in North America, large males exceed the size of other bear species, except the brown bear and the polar bear[39]
The biggest wild American black bear ever recorded was a male from New Brunswick[55][page needed] Another notably outsized wild American black bear, weighing in at 408 kg (899 lb) in total, was the cattle-killer shot in December 1921 on the Moqui Reservation in Arizona[55][page needed] The record-sized American black bear from New Jersey was shot in Morris County[56] Even larger, the most massive American black bear recorded in Pennsylvania (one of six weighing over 363 kg (800 lb) shot in the last 15 years in the state) weighed in at 399 kg (880 lb) and was shot in November 2010 in Pike County[57] The North American Bear Center, located in Ely, Minnesota[58] Honey, the female, weighed 219.6 kg (484 lb) in the fall of 2007.[59]
The fur is soft, with dense underfur and long, coarse, thick guard hairs.[39] The fur is not as shaggy or coarse as that of brown bears.[60][page needed] American black bear skins can be distinguished from those of Asian black bears by the lack of a white blaze on the chest and hairier footpads.[61] Despite their name, American black bears show a great deal of color variation. Individual coat colors can range from white, blonde, cinnamon, light brown or dark chocolate brown to jet black, with many intermediate variations existing. Silvery-gray American black bears with a blue luster (this is found mostly on the flanks) occur along a portion of coastal Alaska and British Columbia. White to cream-colored American black bears occur in the coastal islands and the adjacent mainland of southwestern British Columbia. Albino[62][page needed] Black coats tend to predominate in moist areas such as Maine, New York, Tennessee, Michigan and western Washington. Approximately 70% of all American black bears are black, though only 50% of American black bears in the Rocky Mountains are black.[39] Many American black bears in northwestern North America are cinnamon, blonde or light brown in color and thus may sometimes be mistaken for grizzly bears[63][page needed]
In his book The Great Bear Almanac, Gary Brown summarized the predominance of black or brown/blonde specimens by location:[39]
Color variations of American black bears by location | |
---|---|
Location | Color breakdown |
Michigan | 100% black |
Minnesota | 94% black, 6% brown |
New England | 100% black |
New York | 100% black |
Tennessee | 100% black |
Washington (coastal) | 99% black, 1% brown or blonde |
Washington (inland) | 21% black, 79% brown or blonde |
Yosemite National Park | 9% black, 91% brown or blonde |
American black bears have better eyesight and hearing than humans. Their keenest sense is their sense of smell, which is about seven times more sensitive than a domestic dog's.[64] American black bears are excellent and strong swimmers, swimming for pleasure and to feed (largely on fish[4][page needed] Their arboreal abilities tend to decline with age.[40] They may be active at any time of the day or night, although they mainly forage by night. American black bears living near human habitations tend to be more extensively nocturnal, while those living near brown bears tend to be more extensively diurnal[4][page needed][37]
American black bears tend to be territorialgregarioussalmon or garbage dumps[65][page needed] They mark their territoriesLong Island off the coast of Washington, ranges average 5 sq mi (13 km2), whereas on the Ungava Peninsula in Canada ranges can average up to 1,000 sq mi (2,600 km2), with some male bears traveling as far as 4,349 sq mi (11,260 km2) at times of food shortages.[4][page needed][65][page needed]
American black bears may communicate with various vocal and non-vocal sounds. Tongue-clicking and grunting are the most common sounds and are made in cordial situations to conspecifics, offspring and occasionally humans. During times of fear or nervousness, bears may moan, huff or blow air. Warning sounds include jaw-clicking and lip-popping. In aggressive interactions, American black bears produce deep-throated pulsing sounds. Cubs may squeal, bawl or scream when in distress and make a motor-like humming sound when comfortable or nursing.[66][67][68][page needed] American black bears often mark trees using their teeth and claws as a form of communication with other bears, a behavior common to many species of bears.[1]
Sows usually produce their first litter at the age of three to five years,[40] with those living in more developed areas tending to get pregnant at younger ages.[69] The breeding period usually occurs in the June–July period, though it can extend to August in the species' northern range. The breeding period lasts for two to three months. Both sexes are promiscuous[37] Sows tend to be short-tempered with their mates after copulating. The fertilized eggs undergo delayed development and do not implant in the female's womb until November. The gestation period lasts 235 days and litters are usually born in late January to early February. Litter size is between one and six cubs, typically two or three.[70] At birth, cubs weigh 280–450 g (0.62–0.99 lb) and measure 20.5 cm (8.1 in) in length. They are born with fine, gray, down-like hair and their hind quarters are underdeveloped. They typically open their eyes after 28–40 days and begin walking after five weeks. Cubs are dependent on their mother's milk for 30 weeks and will reach independence at 16–18 months. At the age of six weeks, they attain 900 g (2.0 lb), by the age of eight weeks they reach 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) and by the age of six months they weigh 18 to 27 kg (40 to 60 lb). They reach sexual maturity at the age of three years and attain their full growth at the age of five years.[40]
The average lifespan in the wild is 18 years, though it is quite possible for wild specimens to survive for more than 23 years.[63] The record age of a wild specimen was 39 years,[71] while that in captivity was 44 years.[39] The average annual survival rate for adult American black bears is variable, ranging from 86% in Florida to 73% in Virginia and North Carolina[37] In Minnesota[37] Remarkably, a study of American black bears in Nevada[4][page needed] Survival in subadults is generally less assured. In Alaska[37] Across the range, the estimated number of cubs who survive past their first year is 60%.[4][page needed]
With the exception of the rare confrontation with an adult brown bear or a gray wolf[37] However, as evidenced by scats with fur inside of them and the recently discovered carcass of an adult sow with puncture marks in the skull, American black bears may occasionally have fallen, and still do fall, prey to jaguars[72] American black bear cubs tend to be more vulnerable to predation than adults. Known predators of bear cubs have included bobcats, coyotes, cougars[4][page needed][37] Many of these will stealthily snatch small cubs right from under the sleeping mother. There is a single record of a golden eagle[4][page needed] Once out of hibernation, mother bears may be able to fight off most potential predators.[37] Even cougars will be displaced by an angry mother bear if they are discovered stalking the cubs.[73] Flooding of dens after birth may also occasionally kill newborn cubs. However, in current times, American black bear fatalities are overwhelmingly attributable to human activities. Seasonally, tens of thousands of American black bears are hunted legally across North America, with many more being illegally poached or trapped. Auto collisions also may claim many American black bear lives annually.[4][page needed][37]
American black bears were once not considered true or "deep" hibernators[74][75] The physiology of American black bears in the wild is closely related to that of bears in captivity. Understanding the physiology of bears in the wild is vital to the bear's success in captivity.[76]
The bears enter their dens in October and November, although in the southernmost areas of their range (i.e. Florida, Mexico, the Southeastern United States[4][page needed] Prior to that time, they can put on up to 14 kg (30 lb) of body fat to get them through the several months during which they fast. Hibernation in American black bears typically lasts 3–8 months, depending on regional climate.[18][77]
Hibernating American black bears spend their time in hollowed-out dens in tree cavities, under logs or rocks, in banks, caves, or culverts and in shallow depressions. Although naturally made dens are occasionally used, most dens are dug out by the bear itself.[63] Females have been shown to be pickier in their choice of dens in comparison to males.[78]
During their time in hibernation, an American black bear's heart rate drops from 40–50 beats per minute to 8 beats per minute and the metabolic rate can drop to a quarter of the bear's (nonhibernating) basal metabolic rate[79] The bear keeping track of the changing days allows it to awaken from hibernation at the appropriate time of year to conserve as much energy as possible.[80]
The hibernating American black bear does not display the same rate of muscle and bone atrophy relative to other nonhibernatory animals that are subject to long periods of inactivity due to ailment or old age.[81][82] A hibernating American black bear loses approximately half the muscular strength compared to that of a well-nourished, inactive human. The bear's bone mass does not change in geometry or mineral composition during hibernation, which implies that the bear's conservation of bone mass during hibernation is due to a biological mechanism.[83] During hibernation American black bears retain all excretory waste, leading to the development of a hardened mass of fecal material in the colon known as a fecal plug[84] A special hormone, leptincalcium[81]
The body temperature of the American black bear does not drop significantly, like other mammalian hibernators (staying around 35 °C (95 °F)) and they remain somewhat alert and active. If the winter is mild enough, they may wake up and forage for food. Females also give birth in February and nurture their cubs until the snow melts.[85] During winter, American black bears consume 25–40% of their body weight.[86] The footpads peel off while they sleep, making room for new tissue.
Many of the physiological changes an American black bear exhibits during hibernation are retained slightly post-hibernation. Upon exiting hibernation, bears retain a reduced heart rate and basal metabolic rate. The metabolic rate of a hibernating bear will remain at a reduced level for up to 21 days after hibernation.[87] After emerging from their winter dens in spring, they wander their home ranges for two weeks so that their metabolism accustoms itself to the activity. In mountainous areas, they seek southerly slopes at lower elevations for forage and move to northerly and easterly slopes at higher elevations as summer progresses.
Generally, American black bears are largely crepuscular[65][page needed] Up to 85% of the American black bear's diet consists of vegetation,[40] though they tend to dig less than brown bears, eating far fewer roots, bulbs, corms and tubers[62] When initially emerging from hibernation, they will seek to feed on carrionungulatesgrasses, wetland plants and forbs[86] Young shoots and buds[88] During summer, the diet largely comprises fruits, especially berries and soft masts such as buds and drupesautumn hyperphagiaHard mastshazelnuts, oak acorns and whitebark pine nuts[4][page needed][37] During the fall period, American black bears may also habitually raid the nut caches of tree squirrels[86] Also extremely important in fall are berries such as huckleberries and buffalo berries[4][page needed] American black bears living in areas near human settlements or around a considerable influx of recreational human activity often come to rely on foods inadvertently provided by humans, especially during summertime. These include refuse, birdseed, agricultural products and honey from apiaries[63]
The majority of the American black bear's animal diet consists of insects, such as bees, yellow jackets, ants[86] American black bears are also fond of honey[89] and will gnaw through trees if hives are too deeply set into the trunks for them to reach it with their paws. Once the hive is breached, the bears will scrape the honeycombs[55][page needed] American black bears that live in northern coastal regions (especially the Pacific Coast) will fish for salmon[90] Other fish, including suckers, trout and catfish[91] Although American black bears do not often engage in active predation of other large animals for much of the year, the species will regularly prey on mule and white-tailed deer[92][93][94] Bears may catch the scent of hiding fawns when foraging for something else and then sniff them out and pounce on them. As the fawns reach 10 days of age, they can outmaneuver the bears and their scent is soon ignored until the next year.[95] American black bears have also been recorded similarly preying on elk calves in Idaho[96] and moose[97]
Predation on adult deer is rare, but it has been recorded.[98][99][100] They may even hunt prey up to the size of adult female moose[101] There is at least one record of a male American black bear killing two bull elkLabrador, American black bears are exceptionally carnivorous, living largely off caribou, usually young, injured, sickly or dead specimens, and rodents such as voles[63] Like brown bears, American black bears try to use surprise to ambush their prey and target the weak, injured, sickly or dying animals in the herds. Once a deer fawn is captured, it is frequently torn apart alive while feeding.[93] If it is able to capture a mother deer in spring, the bear frequently begins feeding on the udder of lactating females, but generally prefers meat from the visceracougars and grizzly bears[102] They will readily consume eggs and nestlings of various birds and can easily access many tree nests, even the huge nests of bald eagles[40] American black bears have been reported stealing deer and other animals from human hunters.
Over much of their range, American black bears are assured scavengersKodiak or grizzly bears, the larger two brown subspeciesYellowstone National Park[103][104]
American black bears do compete with cougarsGlacier National Parks[105][106] Another study found that American black bears visited 48% of cougar kills in summer in Colorado and 77% of kills in California. As a result, the cats spend more time killing and less time feeding on each kill.[107][108]
American black bear interactions with gray wolves[109] Wolf packs typically kill American black bears when the larger animals are in their hibernation cycle.[42]
There is at least one record of an American black bear killing a wolverine[110] Anecdotal cases of alligator[111]
American black bears feature prominently in the stories of some of America's indigenous peoplesGreat Spirit[112][page needed] In the mythology of the Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian[113][page needed] In Kwakiutl[114] The Navajo[115][page needed]
Morris Michtom, the creator of the teddy bear, was inspired to make the toy when he came across a cartoon of Theodore Roosevelt[116] The fictional character Winnie-the-Pooh was named after Winnipeg, a female American black bear cub that lived at the London Zoo[117] An American black bear cub, who in the spring of 1950 was caught in the Capitan Gap Fire, was made into the living representative of Smokey Bear, the mascot of the United States Forest Service[118]
Terrible Tedpro wrestlerUniversity of Maine and Baylor UniversitySleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan is named after a Native American legend, where a female bear and her cub swam across Lake Michigan[citation needed]
Although an adult bear is quite capable of killing a human, American black bears typically avoid confronting humans whenever possible. Unlike grizzly bearsbrown bear[62] However, occasionally, attacks by protective mothers do occur.[37] The worst recorded fatality incident occurred in May 1978, in which an American black bear killed three teenagers who were fishing in Algonquin Park[119] Another exceptional, spree-like attack occurred in August 1997 in Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park[120][121]
The majority of attacks happened in national parks, usually near campgrounds, where the bears had become habituated[62] Out of 1,028 incidents of American black bears acting aggressively toward people, recorded from 1964 to 1976 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park[119][page needed] In almost every case where open garbage dumps that had previously attracted American black bears were closed and/or handouts had ceased, the number of aggressive encounters with American black bears has decreased precipitously over time.[37] However, in the aforementioned case of the spree attack in Liard River Hot Springs, the attacking bear was believed to have been previously almost fully dependent on a local garbage dump that had closed and was starving to death as a result of the loss of that food source.[120] Attempts to relocate American black bears are typically unsuccessful, as they seem to be able to return to their home range, even without familiar landscape cues.[37]
A limitation of food sources in early spring and wild berry and nut crop failures during the summer months may be contributing factors to American black bears regularly feeding from commercial human-based food sources. Crops are frequently eaten by these bears, especially during autumn hyperphagia when natural foods are scarce. Favored crops may include apples, oats and corns[4][page needed] American black bears can do extensive damage in some areas of the northwestern United States by stripping the bark from trees and feeding on the cambiumcattle and horses, they seem to prefer smaller, more easily overwhelmed prey such as sheep, goats, pigs and young calvesSurplus killing[102] Occasionally pets, especially domestic dogs, which are most prone to harass a bear, are killed by American black bears.[122] It is not recommended to use unleashed dogs as a deterrent from bear attacks. Although large, aggressive dogs can sometimes cause a bear to run, if pressed, angry bears can frequently turn the tables and end up chasing the dogs in return. A bear in pursuit of a pet dog has the potential to threaten both canid and human[123][124]
In British Columbia, a group of American black bears were used as guard animals to protect a marijuana[125][126]
Historically, American black bears were hunted by both Native Americans and European settlers. Some Native American tribes,[which?] in admiration for the American black bear's intelligence, would decorate the heads of bears they killed with trinkets and place them on blankets. Tobacco smoke would be wafted into the disembodied head's nostrils by the hunter that dealt the killing blow, who would compliment the animal for its courage.[55][page needed] The Kutchin[127] During the European colonisation of eastern North America, thousands of American black bears were hunted for their meat, fat and fur.[3][page needed] Theodore Roosevelt wrote extensively on American black bear hunting in his Hunting the Grisly and other sketches, in which he stated,
in [a black bear] chase there is much excitement, and occasionally a slight spice of danger, just enough to render it attractive; so it has always been eagerly followed.[101]
He wrote that American black bears were difficult to hunt by stalking, due to their habitat preferences, though they were easy to trap. Roosevelt described how, in the southern states, planters regularly hunted American black bears on horseback with hounds. General Wade Hampton[101] Unless well trained, horses were often useless in American black bear hunts, as they often bolted when the bears stood their ground.[55][page needed] In 1799, 192,000 American black bear skins were exported from QuebecHudson's Bay Company[128] In 1992, untanned, fleshed and salted American black bear hides were sold for an average of $165.[129]
In Canada, American black bears are considered as both a big game and furbearer species in all provinces, save for New Brunswick and the Northwest Territories, where they are only classed as a big game species. There are around 80,900 licensed American black bear hunters in all of Canada. Canadian black bear hunts take place in the fall and spring and both male and female bears can be legally taken, though some provinces prohibit the hunting of females with cubs, or yearling specimens.[23]
Currently, 28 of the U.S. statesNew Jersey[130] A Fairleigh Dickinson University[131] Men, older voters and those living in rural areas were more likely to approve of a bear hunting season in New Jersey than women, younger voters and those living in more developed parts of the state.[131] In the western states, where there are large American black bear populations, there are spring and year-round seasons. Approximately 18,000 American black bears were killed annually in the U.S. between 1988 and 1992. Within this period, annual kills ranged from six bears in South Carolina to 2,232 in Maine[23]
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
---|---|
Energy | 649 kJ (155 kcal) |
0.00 g | |
8.30 g | |
20.10 g | |
Vitamins | Quantity %DV† |
Vitamin A equiv. | 10% 78 μg |
Thiamine (B1) | 14% 0.160 mg |
Riboflavin (B2) | 57% 0.680 mg |
Niacin (B3) | 21% 3.200 mg |
Minerals | Quantity %DV† |
Iron | 55% 7.20 mg |
Phosphorus | 23% 162 mg |
Other constituents | Quantity |
Water | 71.20 g |
| |
†Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations Source: USDA Nutrient Database |
According to Dwight Schuh in his Bowhunter's Encyclopedia, American black bears are the third most popular quarry of bowhunters[132]
American black bear meat had historically been held in high esteem among North America's indigenous people and colonists.[55][page needed] American black bears were the only bear species the Kutchin hunted for their meat, though this constituted only a small part of their diet.[127] According to the second volume of Frank Forester's Field Sports of the United States, and British Provinces, of North America:
The flesh of the [black] bear is savoury, but rather luscious, and tastes not unlike porkBear Market to one of the principal markets of the city.
— Frank Forester's Field Sports of the United States, and British Provinces, of North America p. 186
Theodore Roosevelt himself likened the flesh of young American black bears to that of pork and not as coarse or flavourless as the meat of grizzly bears.[133][page needed] The most favoured cuts of the American black bear's meat are concentrated in the legs and loins. Meat from the neck, front legs and shoulders is usually ground into minced meat or used for stews and casserolestrichinellosis[134][page needed]
American black bear fat was once valued as a cosmetic[55][page needed] However, animal rights[citation needed]
☞ 곰은 더 이상 동화 책 속의 친구가 아닙니다.
지금의 곰은 맹수중에 맹수입니다.
더더구나 육중한 체중에 관계없이 시속 65km 정도는 가볍게 달릴 수 있고 수영과 나무타기에도 명수인 곰을 당해낼 지구상의 생물은 거의 없다고 봅니다.
자연 생태계의 변화로 지금은 흑곰도 사람을 희생시킵니다.
특히 북미지역에서 산이나 들에서 또는 도시 주변에서 어떨 때에는 민가나 도심에서 시간과 장소를 가리지 않고 자주 만나게 될 지도 모릅니다.
산행을 할 때는 나홀로 산행은 절대로 금물이며 만약의 경우 물리적 행동이 가능한 최소인원 3~4인이 한 팀이 되어 다니기를 권장합니다.
특히, 고사리를 비롯한 산나물 채취는 가급적 삼가하는것이 좋습니다
최근 몇년간의 곰에 의한 희생은 외진곳 나홀로 산행이나 산나물 채취때 일어나는 사고가 많습니다.
미국에서 참변을 당한 사고는 부부간에 동행중에 한 사람을 잃게 된 경우도 있었습니다.
몇년전 밴쿠버 야산에서 희생된 할머니 한분도 혼자만이 알고 있는 산중 고사리밭에 갔다가 변을 당한 사례입니다.
아웃도어 시에는 베어벨, 베어건(폭음 딱총), 베어 퇴치용 스프레이, 큰 소리를 낼 수 있는 대형 호르라기, 비상용칼 등의 용품을 필히 소지 하여 비상시에는 금방 꺼내서 사용할수 있도록 벨트나 등산배낭 앞면에 착용하는것이 좋습니다.
지금 사진으로 보는 곰은 민가 바로옆의 블루베리 밭에서 발견한것입니다.
전기 철책선과 작은 개울이 사이에 있었지만 곰이 마음만 먹으면 아무 장애가 안되는것들입니다.
산행중 곰을 발견하면 여럿이 있을때는 멀리 떨어진 곳에서 사람들이 고함을 지르거나 어울려 큰 소리로 노래를 부르거나 등산용 스틱으로 딱딱거려 소리를 내거나 하면 슬그머니 숲속으로 들어가는 경우도 있지만
새끼들과 취식중에 있는 곰을 발견했을때는 발견즉시 절대로 뛰지말고 서서히 뒷걸음질 쳐서 멀리 떨어진 다음에 신속하게 그곳을 벗어나는것이 좋습니다
모든 동물들이 대개의 경우 동일 하지만 교배기나 새끼들과 함께 있거나 가족이 같이 있을때는 어미곰들은 신경이 극도로 날카로와져 있다는 사실을 명심해야 합니다
근처에서 곰 대변을 발견했을때는 이미 곰에 대한 대비를 해야 합니다.
분명히 근처에 곰이 있다는 증거입니다.
곰은 자기가 다니는 길에 영역 표시 차원에서 대변을 남기는 행동을 합니다
안전하고 즐거운 산행 하기를 기원합니다.
■ 生活 사진
생활 寫眞은 일상의 사소한 발견입니다.
森羅萬象(삼라만상)은 곧 사진의 훌륭한 소재라고 생각합니다.
늘 가지고 다니는 휴대전화기나 손 안에 쏙 들어가는 똑따기 사진기만으로도 누구나 크게 공감하고 많이 동감하는 이야기를 만들 수가 있을 것이라 믿습니다.
더없는 사랑과 꾸밈없는 정성으로 人時空(인시공)을 담아내어 소중한 추억으로 오래토록 간직하게 되기를 희망합니다.
'사진은 빛의 예술이자 역사의 기록이다'
생활사진에 대하여 이렇게 거창한 말까지 앞세울 필요는 전혀 없을 것 같습니다.
진실과 진심으로 있는 대로 보고 진정과 최선을 다하여 보이는 대로 담아내면 그것이 곧 예술이자 역사가 될 것입니다.
보다 많은 사진인구의 저변 확대를 기대합니다.
가족의 건강과 가정의 행복을 축원합니다.
오로지 건강하세요.
늘 고맙습니다.
20121212(陰1029) WED
■ CAMERA : SONY DSC-HX90V
■ 나는 곰이다