BIOLOGY
Physical Description
Adult female black bears in Vermont average between 120 and 180 pounds. Male bears are usually much larger, weighing between 300 and 400 pounds.
The coat of a black bear, as the name suggests, is usually black. In western United Staes, they may be brown. Some black bears have white chest markings, usually in the shape of a "v". The long thick fur of a black bear makes is seem a lot larger than it actually is.
The black bear has an excellent sense of smell and hearing. However, the bear's sight is not as good.
Life Cycle
Bears become mature at about three and a half years. Black bears give birth every other year. The breeding season occurs during June and July. After mating, the fertilized egg does not become placed into the mother's uterus and grow until fall. This process if called "delayed implantation". The egg will begin to grow only if the female has kept a minimum body weight of 150 pounds.
The female's ability to produce cubs relates to fall food supplies. If food supplies are poor before to denning, the female may not have enough fat reserves to grow a cub, so no cubs will be born. Not enough food supplies could also affect fetal development and cub survival. In most years, cub mortality is around 20% but can be as high as 50% during years of food scarcity. Well-nourished females are much more likely to produce healthier, larger cubs and in larger amounts.
Cubs are born in late January or early February while the mother is denning. The number of cubs varies from one to five, but the average is two. The cubs generally weigh only 8 to 10 ounces at birth, and are about the size of a chipmunk. The cubs will stay with the mother until they are about 16 months old. Young females may remain close to their mother's home range, but young males must find their own territory.
Physical Description
Adult female black bears in Vermont average between 120 and 180 pounds. Male bears are usually much larger, weighing between 300 and 400 pounds.
The coat of a black bear, as the name suggests, is usually black. In western United Staes, they may be brown. Some black bears have white chest markings, usually in the shape of a "v". The long thick fur of a black bear makes is seem a lot larger than it actually is.
The black bear has an excellent sense of smell and hearing. However, the bear's sight is not as good.
Life Cycle
Bears become mature at about three and a half years. Black bears give birth every other year. The breeding season occurs during June and July. After mating, the fertilized egg does not become placed into the mother's uterus and grow until fall. This process if called "delayed implantation". The egg will begin to grow only if the female has kept a minimum body weight of 150 pounds.
The female's ability to produce cubs relates to fall food supplies. If food supplies are poor before to denning, the female may not have enough fat reserves to grow a cub, so no cubs will be born. Not enough food supplies could also affect fetal development and cub survival. In most years, cub mortality is around 20% but can be as high as 50% during years of food scarcity. Well-nourished females are much more likely to produce healthier, larger cubs and in larger amounts.
Cubs are born in late January or early February while the mother is denning. The number of cubs varies from one to five, but the average is two. The cubs generally weigh only 8 to 10 ounces at birth, and are about the size of a chipmunk. The cubs will stay with the mother until they are about 16 months old. Young females may remain close to their mother's home range, but young males must find their own territory.