Bear Facts

 

"Quiet Wisdom, Quiet Power” – Audrey Tourney

 

Characteristics:

• Adult female (sow) weighs on average of 180-230lbs. Adult male (boar) weighs on average of 220-300lbs
• The life span of a black bear can be 21-33 years. The average age in hunted populations is 3-5 years of age. Very few however die from natural causes, most are by human related cause (i.e. shot, hit by car).
• A “black” black bear is just one color phase for this species. They can be black, brown and occasionally blonde to solid white. Some even bare white “V” markings on their chests.
• Bears see in colour and have good close-up vision as well an amazing sense of smell and hearing, which they utilize more then their eyesight.
• Bear are the most active ½ hour before sunrise to 1-2 hours after sunset or become nocturnal to avoid people.
  

 

Diet:

• Bears are considered one of the most intelligent mammals with a large brain compared to their size. Bears have an excellent long-term memory especially when it comes to food sources.
• Black bears are “omnivores” needing both a plant and animal diet consisting of nuts, berries, fruit, insects, leaves, flowers, seeds, honey and grasses. Small mammals, fish and carrion make up the protein needed.
• The black bear has the ability to stop growing when food is scarce. This will allow all nutrition to support survival rather than growth.

Habitat/Range:

• Black bears live in either coniferous or deciduous forest regions, as well as swamps and berry patches. They occupy most of North America from the Mexican plateau north to the tree line in Alaska and Labrador.
• The range of- Yearlings – 1-2 miles Adult female – 2-6 miles Adult males – 8 to 15 miles
• Excursions to 126 miles have been recorded

Reproduction:

• Sexual maturity is reached at the age of 5 years for females and 7 years for males.
• Mating occurs from mid June to early July. The eggs though, are not fertilized until October just prior to den up this is called a “Delayed Implantation”. If the sow is in suitable condition to produce offspring the eggs are fertilized. If not reproduction is put off until next year.
• Cubs are born while their mother’s are in hibernation, January or early February weighing merely ½ - 1 lbs. In the wild, mother bears care for their young for 16-18 months.
  

 

Native Notes:

“The strength of Bear is the power of introspection. It lies in the West on the medicine wheel. Bear enters the dream lodge to hibernate and digest the year’s experiences. Female Bear medicine, in particular, is powerful medicine and also protects and helps to calm internal chatter so that the path can be walked in knowing silence.”