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122-526: Black bear , coyote , bobcat , deer , cougar , minks , bats , bald eagles (sacred to the Choctaw), varieties of woodpeckers , doves , owls , road runners and 328 vertebrate species are native to this region. The Kiamichi Mountains are ancient, and are venerated by the Choctaws. By projecting the existing mountains down to their subsurface roots geologists know that they once stood as tall as

244-552: A Cfb / Cfa ( Oceanic climate / Humid subtropical climate ) borderline case. Western Georgia ( Batumi and Kutaisi ) in the Kolkheti Lowland and the northeast coast of Turkey ( Giresun ), have a climate similar to that of Gilan and Mazandaran in Iran and very similar to that of southeastern and northern Azerbaijan. Temperatures range from 22 °C (72 °F) in summer to 5 °C (41 °F) in winter and rainfall

366-413: A humid subtropical climate , with long, hot, humid summers, and short and cool winters. Temperatures below zero are very rare, but possible. Light snowfall usually occurs once or twice each winter, but rarely lasts more than 24 hours without melting. Substantial amounts of precipitation fall throughout the year. Summers can be extremely hot, and are usually very humid . Thunderstorms are common throughout

488-766: A bear weighing 120 pounds (54 kg) was observed turning flat rocks weighing 310 to 325 pounds (141 to 147 kg) by flipping them over with a single foreleg. They move in a rhythmic, sure-footed way and can run at speeds of 25 to 30 miles per hour (40 to 48 km/h). 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 . They are also capable of rapidly learning to distinguish different shapes such as small triangles, circles and squares. 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. Although they are

610-401: A common ancestor 5.05 million years ago (mya). American and Asian black bears are considered sister taxa and are more closely related to each other than to the other modern species of bears. According to recent studies, the sun bear is also a relatively recent split from this lineage. A small primitive bear called Ursus abstrusus is the oldest known North American fossil member of

732-736: A continuation of the Kiamichi Mountains, although far removed from the namesake river. These mountains take their name from Bok Tuklo County in the old Choctaw Nation . Bok Tuklo, in the Choctaw language , means “two creeks” and refers to Lukfata Creek and Yasho Creek, both in McCurtain County, Oklahoma . Portions of the mountains are protected by the Upper Kiamichi River Wilderness National Wildlife Refuge and

854-624: A forest canopy of hardwoods such as beech , maple , birch and coniferous species. Corn crops and oak-hickory mast are also common sources of food in some sections of the northeast; small, thick swampy areas provide excellent refuge cover largely in stands of white cedar . Along the Pacific coast, redwood , Sitka spruce and hemlocks predominate as overstory cover. Within these northern forest types are early successional areas important for American black bears, such as fields of brush, wet and dry meadows , high tidelands , riparian areas and

976-500: A highly pronounced summer peak, unlike other regions of this climate type. Drought can be severe and often catastrophic to agriculture in the Cwa zone. The only area where winter precipitation equals or even exceeds the summer rain is around the San'in region at the western coast of Japan, which during winter is on the windward side of the westerlies. The winter precipitation in these regions

1098-782: A humid subtropical climate with a distinctively high amount of rainfall during summer. In France, the climate is found in parts of the Garonne Valley (city of Toulouse ) and in the Rhône Valley , including the cities of Lyon and Valence . Due to climate change, some cities on the Balkan peninsula and in the Pannonian Basin such as Belgrade , Novi Sad , Niš and Budapest are now just warm enough to be categorized as such. At 48°N , Bratislava , in Slovakia , lies on

1220-518: A humid subtropical climate, generally in the form of hot and humid summers, and mild to cool winters. These areas, which include the Pampas , generally feature a Cfa climate categorization. At 38°S , the Argentine city of Bahía Blanca lies on the southern limit of the humid subtropical zone. The Cwa climate occurs in parts of tropical highlands of São Paulo state , Mato Grosso do Sul and near

1342-520: A mean temperature above 10 °C (50 °F). While many subtropical climates tend to be located at or near coastal locations, in some cases, they extend inland, most notably in China and the United States , where they exhibit more pronounced seasonal variations and sharper contrasts between summer and winter, as part of a gradient between the hotter tropical climates of the southern coasts and

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1464-465: A more humid July. This is followed by the cooler but still hot and extremely humid monsoon season (August-September), where the region experiences heavy rains almost daily, with humidity usually above 90%. The autumn season (October-November), which immediately follows the monsoon and precedes winter, usually experiences a pleasant climate. Cities such as New Delhi , Dehradun , Lucknow , Kanpur and Patna , among others, exhibit this atypical version of

1586-407: A motor-like humming sound when comfortable or nursing. 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. Sows usually produce their first litter at the age of 3 to 5 years, with those living in more developed areas tending to get pregnant at younger ages. The breeding period usually occurs in

1708-1275: 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. 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. The time that American black bears emerge from hibernation varies. Factors affecting this include temperature, flooding, and hunger. In southern areas, they may wake up in midwinter. Further north, they may not be seen until late March, April, or even early May. Altitude also has an effect. Bears at lower altitudes tend to emerge earlier. Mature males tend to come out earliest, followed by immature males and females, and lastly mothers with cubs. Mothers with yearling cubs are seen before those with newborns. Generally, American black bears are largely crepuscular in foraging activity, though they may actively feed at any time. Up to 85% of their diet consists of vegetation, though they tend to dig less than brown bears, eating far fewer roots , bulbs , corms and tubers than

1830-478: A result of these systems. As an example Lismore which lies in the centre of this zone, the annual rainfall can range from less than 550 millimetres (22 in) in 1915 to more than 2,780 millimetres (109 in) in 1950. As the continent does not have a large ocean to its east as the case in many other continents within the climate zone, humid subtropical climates in Europe are limited to relatively small areas on

1952-506: A study of American black bears in Nevada found that the amount of annual mortality of a population of bears in wilderness areas was 0%, whereas in developed areas in the state this figure rose to 83%. Survival in subadults is generally less assured. In Alaska, only 14–17% of subadult males and 30–48% of subadult females were found in a study to survive to adulthood. Across the range, the estimated number of cubs who survive past their first year

2074-491: A summer peak especially where storms reaching the level of monsoons are well developed, as in Southeast Asia and South Asia . Other areas have a more uniform or varying rainfall cycles but consistently lack any predictably dry summer months unlike Mediterranean climates (which lie at similar latitudes but, in most continents, on opposite coasts). Most summer rainfall occurs during thunderstorms that build up due to

2196-453: A tendency toward dry conditions in winter with rain increasing in spring, with December or January often the driest months. Humid subtropical climates are found in a sizable portion of South America. The climate extends over a few states of southern Brazil, including Paraná , into sections of Paraguay , all of Uruguay and central Argentina (Pampas region). Major cities such as São Paulo , Buenos Aires , Porto Alegre and Montevideo , have

2318-538: A tropical savanna, or Aw , climate. Annual rainfall within Australia's humid subtropical climate zone can reach as high as 2,000 millimetres (79 in) in coastal locations and is generally 1,000 millimetres (39 in) or above. The most intense 2-3 day rainfall periods that occur in this coastal zone however are the outcome of east coast lows forming to the north of a large high pressure system , there can be great variation in rainfall amounts from year to year as

2440-827: A variety of mast-producing hardwood species. The spruce-fir forest dominates much of the range of the American black bear in the Rockies . Important non-forested areas here are wet meadows, riparian areas, avalanche chutes, roadsides, burns, sidehill parks and subalpine ridgetops . In areas where human development is relatively low, such as stretches of Canada and Alaska, American black bears tend to be found more regularly in lowland regions. In parts of northeastern Canada, especially Labrador , American black bears have adapted exclusively to semi-open areas that are more typical habitat in North America for brown bears (likely due to

2562-419: Is 60%. With the exception of the rare confrontation with an adult brown bear or a gray wolf pack, adult black bears are not usually subject to natural predation. 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, black bears may occasionally fall prey to jaguars in the southern parts of their range. In such scenarios,

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2684-408: Is a temperate climate type characterized by hot and humid summers, and cool to mild winters. These climates normally lie on the southeast side of all continents (except Antarctica), generally between latitudes 25° and 40° and are located poleward from adjacent tropical climates, and equatorward from either humid continental (in North America and Asia) or oceanic climates (in other continents). It

2806-567: Is also found in the narrow coastal sections of southern and eastern South Africa , primarily in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape provinces. South Africa's version of this climate features heavy oceanic influences resulting in generally milder temperatures. This is particularly evident in its winters when temperatures do not drop as low as in many other regions within the humid subtropical category. In East Asia , this climate type

2928-452: Is also known as warm temperate climate in some climate classifications. Under the Köppen climate classification , Cfa and Cwa climates are either described as humid subtropical climates or warm temperate climates. This climate features mean temperature in the coldest month between 0 °C (32 °F) (or −3 °C (27 °F)) and 18 °C (64 °F) and mean temperature in

3050-642: Is even heavier than in Caspian Iran, up to 2,300 millimetres (91 in) per year in Hopa (Turkey). These climates are a Cfb / Cfa ( Oceanic climate / Humid subtropical climate ) borderline case. In North America, humid subtropical climates are found in the American Gulf and lower East Coast states, including Alabama , Arkansas , Florida , Georgia , Louisiana , Mississippi , North Carolina , Oklahoma , South Carolina , Tennessee , and Texas . On

3172-477: Is found in the southeastern quarter of mainland China from Hong Kong north to Nanjing, the northern half of Taiwan , southern and central Japan ( Kyushu , Shikoku and half of Honshu ), and the most southern regions of Korea (the south and east Central and Southern Gyeongsang Province and Jeju island ). Cities near the equatorward boundary of this zone include Hong Kong and Taipei ; while Tokyo , Busan - Pohang - Gangneung of Korea and Qingdao are near

3294-677: Is generally not as high here as in other continents within this climatic zone. The Po Valley , in Northern Italy , including major cities such as Milan , Turin , Bologna , and Verona , has a humid subtropical climate, featuring hot, humid summers with frequent thunderstorms; winters are foggy, damp and chilly, with sudden bursts of frost. Places along the shores of Lake Maggiore , Lake Lugano , Lake Como ( Como and Verbania in Italy and Lugano and Locarno in Switzerland ) have

3416-491: Is plentiful in North America's humid subtropical climate zone – but with significant variations in terms of wettest/driest months and seasons. Much of the interior South , including Tennessee, Kentucky, and the northern halves of Mississippi and Alabama, tends to have a winter or spring (not summer) precipitation maximum. Closer to the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts, there is a summer maximum, with July or August usually

3538-735: Is record of a golden eagle snatching a yearling cub. Once out of hibernation, mother bears may be able to fight off most potential predators. Even cougars will be displaced by an angry mother bear if they are discovered stalking the cubs. Flooding of dens after birth may also occasionally kill newborn cubs. However, in current times, bear fatalities are mainly attributable to human activities. Seasonally, thousands of black bears are hunted legally across North America to control their numbers, while some are illegally poached or trapped unregulated. Auto collisions also may claim many black bears annually. American black bears were once not considered true or "deep" hibernators , but because of discoveries about

3660-508: Is stated that the bears had been seen in the zoological gardens to couple freely, but previously to 1848 most had rarely conceived. In the reports published since this date three species have produced young (hybrids in one case), ... A bear shot in autumn 1986 in Michigan was thought by some to be an American black bear/grizzly bear hybrid, because of its unusually large size and its proportionately larger brain case and skull. DNA testing

3782-404: Is the region's chief industry . Tourism is also important, although it makes a smaller economic impact. The Talimena Scenic Drive , connecting Talihina, Oklahoma with Mena, Arkansas is a tourist destination during autumn. Fishing is common year-round, as is hunting during hunting season. Several flood control reservoirs built and maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or

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3904-652: Is usually produced by low-pressure systems off the east coast that develop in the onshore flow from the Siberian high. Summer rainfall comes from the East Asian Monsoon and from frequent typhoons . Annual rainfall is generally over 1,000 millimetres (39 in), and in areas below the Himalayas can be much higher still. Humid subtropical climates can also be found in the Indian subcontinent , predominantly in

4026-464: Is usually three inches or less. However, for the majority of the winter here, temperatures remain above or well above freezing. At the northernmost limits of this zone, cities such as New York City , Philadelphia , Baltimore , Washington, D.C. , and Louisville typically see snowfall during the winter, with occasional heavy snowstorms. Still, average temperatures during a typical winter hover just above freezing at these locations. Precipitation

4148-453: The Andean highland in northwestern Argentina . These highland areas feature summer temperatures that are warm enough to fall outside the subtropical highland climate category. The humid subtropical climate zone predominantly lies in eastern Australia, which begins from the coastal strip of Mackay, Queensland and stretches down the coast to just south of Sydney , where it transitions into

4270-828: The Caucasus , in Azerbaijan and in Georgia wedged between the Caspian and Black seas and coastal ( Black Sea ) Turkey, albeit having more oceanic influence. Annual rainfall ranges from around 600 millimetres (24 in) at Gorgan to over 1,830 millimetres (72 in) at Bandar-e Anzali , and is heavy throughout the year, with a maximum in October or November when Bandar-e Anzali can average 330 millimetres (13 in) in one month. Temperatures are generally moderate in comparison with other parts of Western Asia. During winter,

4392-609: The Driftless Area of southeastern Minnesota , northeastern Iowa , and southwestern Wisconsin are common. In 2019, biologists with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources confirmed documentation of an American black bear living year-round in woodlands near the town of Decorah in northeastern Iowa, believed to be the first instance of a resident black bear in Iowa since the 1880s. Surveys taken from 35 states in

4514-455: The Holdridge life zones classification, the subtropical climates have a biotemperature between the frost or critical temperature line, 16 to 18 °C (61 to 64 °F) (depending on locations in the world) and 24 °C (75 °F), and these climates are humid (or even perhumid or superhumid) when the potential evapotranspiration (PET) ratio (= PET / Precipitation) is less than 1. In

4636-778: The Kashmir Valley in India, where the primary precipitation peak occurs in March, not July or August). Further east, in highland areas with lengthier monsoons such as Nepal, seasonal temperature variation is lower than in the lowlands. In Southeast Asia , about 90% of the region has a tropical climate ; but humid subtropical climates can also be seen here, such as in Northern Vietnam (including Hanoi ). Southeast Asian locations with these climates can feature cool temperatures, with lows reaching 10 °C (50 °F) during

4758-739: The Ouachita National Forest . The wildlife refuge includes much of the Kiamichi River's upper reaches and headwaters . The National Forest exists as two spurs, or arms, of its larger area in Arkansas , and may be found in Le Flore County and McCurtain County. Substantial portions of the mountains are owned by timber companies, who operate massive tree plantations consisting of fast-growing pine trees . Logging

4880-628: The Southeastern United States . American black bears in the southern Appalachian Mountains survive in predominantly oak-hickory and mixed mesophytic forests. In the coastal areas of the southeast (such as Florida , the Carolinas and Louisiana ), bears inhabit a mixture of flatwoods , bays and swampy hardwood sites. In the northeastern part of the range (the United States and Canada), prime habitat consists of

5002-1077: The West Coast , although they typically follow Bergmann's rule , and bears from the northwest are often slightly heavier than the bears from the southeast. Adult males typically weigh between 57–250 kg (126–551 lb), while females weigh 33% less at 41–170 kg (90–375 lb). In California, studies indicate that the average mass is 86 kg (190 lb) in adult males and 58 kg (128 lb) in adult females. Adults in Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge in east-central Alaska were found to average 87.3 kg (192 lb) in males and 63.4 kg (140 lb) in females, whereas on Kuiu Island in southeastern Alaska (where nutritious salmon are readily available) adults averaged 115 kg (254 lb). In Great Smoky Mountains National Park , adult males averaged 112 kg (247 lb) and adult females averaged 47 kg (104 lb) per one study. In one of

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5124-486: The black bear , is a species of medium-sized bear endemic to North America . It is the continent's smallest and most widely distributed bear species. It is an omnivore , with a diet varying greatly depending on season and location. It typically lives in largely forested areas but will leave forests in search of food and is sometimes attracted to human communities due to the immediate availability of food. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists

5246-668: The humid continental zone due to colder winters. All these areas are subject to occasional, in some cases repeated snowfalls and freezes during winter. In Central Europe , a small area of humid subtropical climates are located in transitional areas between the oceanic and continental climates in areas where higher summer temperatures do not quite qualify it for inclusion in the Oceanic climate schema and mild winters do not allow their inclusion into continental climates. Average summer temperatures in areas of Europe with this climate are generally not as hot as most other subtropical zones around

5368-634: The American black bear as a least-concern species because of its widespread distribution and a large population, estimated to be twice that of all other bear species combined. Along with the brown bear ( Ursus arctos ), it is one of only two modern bear species not considered by the IUCN to be globally threatened with extinction. The American black bear is not closely related to the brown bear or polar bear , though all three species are found in North America ; genetic studies reveal that they split from

5490-532: The American black bears remained arboreal omnivores, like their Asian ancestors. The American black bear's generalist behavior allowed it to exploit a wider variety of foods and has been given as a reason why, of these three genera, it alone survived climate and vegetative changes through the last Ice Age while the other, more specialized North American predators became extinct. However, both Arctodus and Tremarctos had survived several other, previous ice ages . After these prehistoric ursids became extinct during

5612-609: The Asian black bear 4.08 mya. The earliest American black bear fossils, which were located in Port Kennedy, Pennsylvania , greatly resemble the Asian species, though later specimens grew to sizes comparable to grizzly bears . From the Holocene to the present, American black bears seem to have shrunk in size, but this has been disputed because of problems with dating these fossil specimens. The American black bear lived during

5734-576: The Florida peninsula, the humid subtropical climate gives way to the tropical climate of South Florida and the Florida Keys . Under Köppen's climate classification, this zone includes locations further north, primarily Virginia , Kentucky , the lower elevations of West Virginia , Maryland , Delaware , Washington, D.C. , southeastern Pennsylvania , central and southern portions of New Jersey , and Downstate New York . It can also be found in

5856-589: The Gulf of Mexico, such as Austin and San Antonio that border the semi-arid climate zone, generally see a peak of precipitation in May, a drought-like nadir in mid-summer and a secondary, if not equal, precipitation peak in September or October. Areas further south along South Texas ' Gulf Coast (Brownsville), which closely border tropical climate classification , typically have a strong September precipitation maximum, and

5978-478: The Holdridge classification, the humid subtropical climates coincide more or less with the warmest Cfa and Cwa climates and the less warm humid tropical "Köppen" climates ( Aw , Am and Af ). Cfa : C = Mild temperate f = Fully humid a = Hot Summer Cwa : C = Mild temperate w = Dry Winter a = Hot Summer In Africa, humid subtropical climates are primarily found in

6100-519: 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. Males try to mate with several females, but large, dominant ones may violently claim a female if another mature male comes near. Copulation can last 20–30 minutes. Sows tend to be short-tempered with their mates after copulating. The fertilized eggs undergo delayed development and do not implant in

6222-594: The Nepalese version of the climate generally does not feature the extreme hot spells that are commonplace for many other South Asian locations with this climate. In Nepal cities such as Kathmandu , Pokhara , Butwal , Birgunj and Biratnagar feature this iteration of the climate. In South Asia, humid subtropical climates generally border on continental climates as altitude increases, or on winter-rainfall climates in western areas of Pakistan and northwestern India (e.g. Peshawar in northwestern Pakistan or Srinagar in

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6344-744: The Sydney region ranges between 800 and 1,200 millimetres (31 and 47 in). There is usually a distinct summer rainfall maximum that becomes more pronounced moving northwards. In Brisbane, the wettest month (February) receives five times the rainfall of the driest month (September). Temperatures are very warm to hot but are not excessive: the average maximum in February is usually around 29 °C (84 °F) and in July around 21 °C (70 °F). Frosts are extremely rare except at higher elevations, but temperatures over 35 °C (95 °F) are not common on

6466-594: The absence there of brown and polar bears, as well as other large carnivore species). The skulls of American black bears are broad, with narrow muzzles and large jaw hinges. In Virginia , the length of adult bear skulls was found to average 262 to 317 mm (10.3 to 12.5 in). 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). 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

6588-610: The average of 65.2 kg (144 lb) in wild-land ones. In Waterton Lakes National Park , Alberta, adults averaged 125 to 128 kg (276 to 282 lb). The biggest wild American black bear ever recorded was a male from New Brunswick , shot in November 1972, that weighed 409 kg (902 lb) after it had been dressed, meaning it weighed an estimated 500 kg (1,100 lb) in life and measured 2.41 m (7 ft 11 in) long. Another notably outsized wild American black bear, weighing in at 408 kg (899 lb),

6710-436: 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. The soles of

6832-615: The bear evolved alongside larger, more aggressive bear species, such as the extinct giant short-faced bear and the grizzly bear, that monopolized more open habitats and the historic presence of larger predators, such as Smilodon and the American lion , that could have preyed on black bears. Although found in the largest numbers in wild, undisturbed areas and rural regions, American black bears can adapt to surviving in some numbers in peri-urban regions, as long as they contain easily accessible foods and some vegetative coverage. In most of

6954-400: The big cat would have the advantage if it ambushed the bear, killing it with a crushing bite to the back of the skull. Cubs tend to be more vulnerable to predation than adults, with known predators including bobcats , coyotes , cougars , gray wolves, brown bears and other bears of their own species. Many of these will stealthily snatch small cubs right from under the sleeping mother. There

7076-464: The climate in India. In Pakistan, the cities of Islamabad , Sialkot , Gujranwala and Rawalpindi , among others, feature this weather pattern. Lahore overlaps between being humid subtropical and semi-arid . The annual precipitation in Peshawar is slightly less than required for this classification. In Bangladesh , cities like Rangpur , Saidpur and Dinajpur in the northern region feature

7198-589: The coast. North of the Cfa climate zone there is a zone centred upon Rockhampton which extends north to the Köppen Cwa classified climate zone of the Atherton Tablelands region. This region has a very pronounced dry winter period, with often negligible rainfall between June and October. Winter temperatures generally only fall slightly below 18 °C (64 °F), which would classify the region as

7320-612: The coastal areas can receive snowfall, which is usually of a short duration. In Rasht , the average temperature in July and August is around 25 °C (77 °F) but with near-saturation humidity , whilst in January and February it is around 7 °C (45 °F). The heavy, evenly distributed rainfall extends north into the Caspian coastal strip of Azerbaijan up to its northern border but this climate in Azerbaijan is, however,

7442-759: The coastal islands and the adjacent mainland of southwestern British Columbia. Albino individuals have also been recorded. Black coats tend to predominate in humid areas such as Maine, New England, New York, Tennessee, Michigan and western Washington. Approximately 70% of all American black bears are black, though only 50% in the Rocky Mountains are black. Many in northwestern North America are cinnamon, blonde or light brown in color and thus may sometimes be mistaken for grizzly bears. Grizzly (and other types of brown) bears can be distinguished by their shoulder hump, larger size and broader, more concave skull. In his book The Great Bear Almanac , Gary Brown summarized

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7564-537: The colder continental climates to the north and further inland. As such, the climate can be said to exhibit somewhat different features depending on whether it is found inland, or in a maritime position. In a humid subtropical climate, summers are typically long, hot and humid. A deep current of tropical air dominates the humid subtropics at the time of high sun, and daily intense (but brief) convective thundershowers are common. Monthly mean temperatures in winter may be mild or slightly above freezing. Rainfall often shows

7686-557: The coldest limit of climates classed as humid subtropical. Snowfall varies greatly in this climate zone. In locations at the southern limits of this zone and areas around the Gulf Coast , cities such as Orlando , Tampa , Houston , New Orleans , and Savannah rarely see snowfall, which occurs, at most, a few times per generation. In Southern cities farther north or inland, such as Atlanta , Charlotte , Dallas , Memphis , Nashville , and Raleigh , snow only occasionally falls and

7808-415: The colon known as a fecal plug . Leptin is released into the bear's systems to suppress appetite. The retention of waste during hibernation (specifically in minerals such as calcium ) may play a role in the bear's resistance to atrophy. The body temperature does not drop significantly, like other mammalian hibernators (staying around 35 °C (95 °F)) and they remain somewhat alert and active. If

7930-549: 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 woods . In this region, bears occasionally move to more open areas to feed on prickly pear cactus . At least two distinct, prime habitat types are inhabited in

8052-499: The cooler, oceanic climates. From Newcastle , approximately 200 kilometres (120 mi) northeast of Sydney, the Cfa zone would extend to inland New South Wales , excluding the highland regions (which have an oceanic climate), stretching towards Dubbo to the northwest and Wagga Wagga to the south, ending at the New South Wales / Victoria border ( Albury-Wodonga ). To note, these places would have characteristics of

8174-521: The distribution of populations outside those areas has not been updated since 1959. Mexico is the only country where the species is classified as "endangered". 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 masts ). The adaptation to woodlands and thick vegetation in this species may have originally been because

8296-520: The early 1990s indicated that American black bear populations were either stable or increasing, except in Idaho and New Mexico . The population in the United States was estimated to range between 339,000 and 465,000 in 2011, though this estimate does not include data from Alaska, Idaho , South Dakota , Texas or Wyoming , whose populations were not recorded in the survey. In California there were an estimated 25,000-35,000 black bears in 2017, making it

8418-672: The eight modern bear species are habitually arboreal (the most arboreal species, the American and Asian black bears and the sun bear, being fairly closely related). Their arboreal abilities tend to decline with age. They may be active at any time of the day or night, although they mainly forage by night. Bears living near human habitations tend to be more extensively nocturnal , while those living near brown bears tend to be more often diurnal . American black bears tend to be territorial and non- gregarious in nature. However, at abundant food sources (e.g. spawning salmon or garbage dumps), they may congregate and dominance hierarchies form, with

8540-445: 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 typically small tail is 7.7–17.7 cm (3.0–7.0 in) long. The ears are small and rounded and are set well back on the head. American black bears are highly dexterous , being capable of opening screw-top jars and manipulating door latches. They also have great physical strength;

8662-865: 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. 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 5 weeks. Cubs are dependent on their mother's milk for 30 weeks and will reach independence at 16–18 months. At 6 weeks, they attain 900 g (2.0 lb), by 8 weeks they reach 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) and by 6 months they weigh 18 to 27 kg (40 to 60 lb). They reach sexual maturity at 3 years and attain their full growth at 5 years. The average lifespan in

8784-453: The genus Ursus , dated to 4.95 mya. This suggests that U. abstrusus may be the direct ancestor of the American black bear, which evolved in North America. Although Wolverton and Lyman still consider U. vitabilis an "apparent precursor to modern black bears", it has also been placed within U. americanus . The ancestors of American black bears and Asian black bears diverged from sun bears 4.58 mya. The American black bear then split from

8906-449: The high elevations of Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and Sierra Madre Oriental. Despite being located at higher elevations, these locations have summers that are too warm to qualify as a subtropical highland climate. Guadalajara 's climate is a major example of this. Outside of isolated sections of Mexico, the southernmost limits of this climate zone in North America lie just north of South Florida and around southern coastal Texas. Cities at

9028-592: The hundreds each day by a single bear during the fall. During the fall period, bears may also habitually raid the nut caches of tree squirrels . Also extremely important in fall are berries such as huckleberries and buffalo berries . 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 . Humid subtropical climate A humid subtropical climate

9150-432: The intense surface heating and strong subtropical sun angle. Weak tropical lows that move in from adjacent warm tropical oceans, as well as occasional tropical cyclones often contribute to summer seasonal rainfall peaks. Winter rainfall (and occasional snowfall, especially near the poleward margins) is often associated with large storms in the westerlies that have fronts that reach down into subtropical latitudes. Under

9272-495: The lack of a white blaze on the chest and hairier footpads. Despite their name, 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

9394-629: The largest population of the species in any of the 48 contiguous United States . In 2020 there were about 1,500 bears in Great Smoky Mountains National Park , where the population density is about two per square mile. In western North Carolina , the black bear population has dramatically increased in recent decades, from about 3,000 in the early 2000s to over 8,000 in the 2020s. As of 1993, known black bear populations in Mexico existed in four areas, though knowledge on

9516-529: The largest studies on regional body mass, bears in British Columbia averaged 73.7 kg (162 lb) in 89 females and 103.1 kg (227 lb) in 243 males. In Yellowstone National Park , a study found that adult males averaged 119 kg (262 lb) and adult females averaged 67 kg (148 lb). Black bears in north-central Minnesota averaged 70 kg (150 lb) in 163 females and 125 kg (276 lb) in 77 males. In New York,

9638-801: The largest, most powerful males dominating the most fruitful feeding spots. They mark their territories by rubbing their bodies against trees and clawing at the bark. Annual ranges held by mature male bears tend to be very large, though there is some variation. On Long Island off the coast of Washington, ranges average 5 sq mi (13 km ), whereas on the Ungava Peninsula in Canada ranges can average up to 1,000 sq mi (2,600 km ), with some male bears traveling as far as 4,349 sq mi (11,260 km ) at times of food shortages. Bears may communicate with various vocal and non-vocal sounds. Tongue-clicking and grunting are

9760-838: The last decade. The current range 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 . However, it becomes increasingly fragmented or absent in other regions. Despite this, American black bears in those areas seem to have expanded their range in recent decades, such as with recent sightings in Ohio , Illinois , southern Indiana , and western Nebraska. Sightings of itinerant black bears in

9882-533: The last glacial period 10,000 years ago, American black bears were probably the only bear present in much of North America until the migration of brown bears to the rest of the continent. American black bears are reproductively compatible with several other bear species and occasionally produce hybrid offspring. According to Jack Hanna 's Monkeys on the Interstate , a bear captured in Sanford, Florida ,

10004-471: The latter species. When initially emerging from hibernation, they will seek to feed on carrion from winter-killed animals and newborn ungulates . As the spring temperature warms, American black bears seek new shoots of many plant species, especially new grasses , wetland plants and forbs . Young shoots and buds from trees and shrubs during the spring period are important to bears emerging from hibernation, as they assist in rebuilding muscle and strengthening

10126-454: The lower Midwest, primarily in the central and southern portions of Kansas and Missouri and the southern portions of Illinois , Indiana and Ohio . In Mexico , there are small areas of Cfa and Cwa climates. The climate can be found in small areas scattered around the northeastern part of the country, in proximity to the Gulf of Mexico . Other areas where the climate can be found is in

10248-558: The males average 136 kg (300 lb) and females 72.6 kg (160 lb). It was found in Nevada and the Lake Tahoe region that bears closer to urban regions were significantly heavier than their arid-country dwelling counterparts, with males near urban areas averaging 138 kg (304 lb) against wild-land males which averaged 115.5 kg (255 lb) whereas peri-urban females averaged 97.9 kg (216 lb) against

10370-551: The margins of the Mediterranean and Black Sea basins. Cfa zones are generally transitional between the Mediterranean climate zones along the coast and oceanic and humid continental zones to the west and north where rainfall in the warmer months is too high for a Mediterranean classification, while temperatures (either in the summer and/or winter) are too warm to qualify as oceanic or humid continental. Summer humidity

10492-461: The metabolic changes that allow black bears to remain dormant for months without eating, drinking, urinating or defecating, most biologists have redefined mammalian hibernation as "specialized, seasonal reduction in metabolism concurrent with scarce food and cold weather". American black bears are now considered highly efficient hibernators. The physiology of American black bears in the wild is closely related to that of bears in captivity. Understanding

10614-403: The metabolic rate can drop to a quarter of the bear's (nonhibernating) basal metabolic rate . These reductions in metabolic rate and heart rate do not appear to decrease the bear's ability to heal injuries during hibernation. Their circadian rhythm stays intact during hibernation. This allows the bear to sense the changes in the day based on the ambient temperature caused by the sun's position in

10736-505: The modern-day Rocky Mountains , which are much younger. The highly serrated, jagged appearance of the Rockies and other tall mountain ranges may be attributed to their youth. By contrast the Kiamichi Mountains, which are much older—and now shorter—feature the highly eroded characteristics common among much older mountains. Geologists generally define a mountain as a natural landform topping at least 1,000 feet in elevation. Numerous of

10858-486: The monsoon variant ( Cwa ), where rainfall peaks at the monsoon season. Closely resembling the climate patterns of neighboring Northern Indian plains , this region shows a distinct three season pattern- relatively dry and very hot summer (March- early June), extremely wet, cooler Monsoon season (June- September), and mild, foggy winter (Late October- February). Humid subtropical climates can also be found in Nepal . However,

10980-457: The months of December, January, and February. Unlike a good portion of East Asian locations with this climate however, most of Southeast Asia seldom experiences snowfall. These areas tend to feature hot and humid summers and cool and wet winters , with mean temperatures varying between 25 and 30 °C (77 and 86 °F) in summer. Although humid subtropical climates in Asia are mostly confined to

11102-434: The most common sounds and are made in cordial situations to conspecifics, offspring and occasionally humans. When at ease, they produce a loud rumbling hum. During times of fear or nervousness, bears may moan, huff or blow air. Warning sounds include jaw-clicking and lip-popping. In aggressive interactions, black bears produce guttural pulsing calls that may sound like growling. Cubs squeal, bawl or scream when anxious and make

11224-629: The mountains as those occurring on either side of the Kiamichi River along the full extent of its course, until it flows into the flat coastal plain of southern Oklahoma . North of the Kiamichi Mountains are the Winding Stair Mountains , named by early American explorers for their cascading appearance as a series of stairsteps. East of Little River are the Bok Tuklo Mountains, which are commonly considered

11346-412: The mountains, particularly those along the Kiamichi River's lower reaches, measure between 700 and 900 feet in elevation. Although called “mountains” they are, more formally, hills . Precise definitions of the extent and scope of the Kiamichi Mountains have never been formally assigned. They constitute more of a cultural construct than formal geographical designation. Local residents generally identify

11468-415: 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 caused by a biological mechanism. During hibernation American black bears retain all excretory waste, leading to the development of a hardened mass of fecal material in

11590-590: The north-east of Spain ( Huesca ), West Macedonia in Greece ( Kozani ). Along the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria ( Varna ), coast of Romania ( Constanța and Mamaia ), Sochi, Russia and Crimea , have summers too warm (>22 °C (72 °F) mean temperature in the warmest month) to qualify as oceanic, no freezing month, and enough summer precipitation and sometimes humid conditions, where they would be fit to be classed under Cfa , though they closely border

11712-662: The northern boundary. The influence of the strong Siberian anticyclone in East Asia brings colder winter temperatures than in the humid subtropical zones in South America, and Australia. The 0 °C (32 °F) isotherm reaches as far south as the valleys of the Yellow and Wei rivers, roughly latitude 34° N . At Hainan Island and in Taiwan, the climate transitions from subtropical into tropical. In most of this region,

11834-726: The northern limit of the humid subtropical zone. The coastal areas in the northern half of the Adriatic Sea also fall within this climate zone. The cities include Trieste , Venice , and Rimini in Italy , Rijeka and Split in Croatia , Koper in Slovenia and Kotor in Montenegro . Other Southern European areas in the Cfa zone include the central valleys and coast of Catalonia of Girona and Barcelona in Spain , some on

11956-887: The northern regions. However, the humid subtropical climates exhibited here typically differ markedly from those in East Asia (and, for that matter, a good portion of the globe). Winters are typically cool to mild (sometimes reaching 0 °C (32 °F)), ranging from humid and foggy in December to dry in February. These winters are followed by a mild spring (March-April). Summers tend to be relatively longer and very hot, starting from mid-April and peaking in June, extending up to July with high temperatures often exceeding 40 °C (104 °F). Summers usually begin dry, complete with dust storms , traits typically associated with arid or semi-arid climates , before eventually transforming into

12078-420: The physiology of bears in the wild is vital to the bear's success in captivity. 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 ), only pregnant females and mothers with yearling cubs will enter hibernation. Prior to that time, they can put on up to 14 kg (30 lb) of body fat to get them through

12200-408: The predominance of black or brown/blonde specimens by location: American black bears have eyesight and hearing comparable to that of humans. Their keenest sense is smell, which is about seven times more sensitive than a domestic dog's. They are excellent and strong swimmers, swimming for pleasure and to feed (largely on fish). They regularly climb trees to feed, escape enemies and hibernate. Four of

12322-469: The same period as the giant and lesser short-faced bears ( Arctodus simus and A. pristinus , respectively) and the Florida spectacled bear ( Tremarctos floridanus ). These tremarctine bears evolved from bears that had emigrated from Asia to the Americas 7–8 mya. The giant and lesser short-faced bears are thought to have been heavily carnivorous and the Florida spectacled bear more herbivorous, while

12444-457: The semi-arid and/or Mediterranean climates. Furthermore, the inland Cfa climates generally have drier summers, or at least summers with low humidity. Extreme heat is more often experienced in Sydney than in other large cities in Australia's Cfa zone, especially in the western suburbs , where highs over 40 °C (104 °F) are not uncommon. Frost is prevalent in the more inland areas of Sydney, such as Richmond . Average annual rainfall in

12566-497: The several months during which they fast. Hibernation typically lasts 3–8 months, depending on regional climate. Hibernating 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. During their time in hibernation, an American black bear's heart rate drops from 40 to 50 beats per minute to 8 beats per minute, and

12688-486: The skeleton and are often the only digestible foods available at that time. During summer, the diet largely comprises fruits, especially berries and soft masts such as buds and drupes . During the autumn hyperphagia , feeding becomes virtually the full-time task. Hard masts become the most important part of the diet in autumn and may even partially dictate the species' distribution. Favored masts such as hazelnuts , oak acorns and whitebark pine nuts may be consumed by

12810-592: The sky. It has also been shown that ambient light exposure and low disturbance levels (that is to say, wild bears in ambient light conditions) directly correlate with their activity levels. 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. The hibernating 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. A hibernating bear only loses approximately half

12932-493: The smallest bear species in North America , large males exceed the size of other bear species, except the brown bear and the polar 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. Bears on the East Coast tend to be heavier on average than those on

13054-547: The southeastern quarter of the continent, there are two narrow areas along the coast of the Caspian Sea and Black Sea with humid subtropical climates. Summers in these locations are cooler than typical humid subtropical climates and snowfall in winter is relatively common, but is usually of a short duration. In Western Asia , the climate is prevalent in the Gilan , Māzandarān and Golestan Provinces of Iran , in parts of

13176-639: The southern farmlands of Alberta , Saskatchewan and Manitoba ; they have been extirpated on Prince Edward Island since 1937. Surveys taken in the mid-1990s found the Canadian black bear population to be between 396,000 and 476,000 in seven provinces; this estimate excludes populations in New Brunswick , the Northwest Territories , Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan . All provinces indicated stable populations of American black bears over

13298-628: The southern part of the continent. The Cwa climate is found over a large portion of the interior of the Middle and Eastern African regions. This area includes central Angola , northeastern Zimbabwe , the Niassa , Manica and Tete provinces of Mozambique , the southern Congo provinces, southwest Tanzania , and the majority of Malawi , and Zambia . Some lower portions of the Ethiopian Highlands also have this climate. The climate

13420-483: The southernmost limits, such as Tampa and Orlando and along the Texas coast around Corpus Christi down toward Brownsville generally feature warm weather year-round and minimal temperature differences between seasons. In contrast, cities at the northernmost limits of the climate zone such as New York, Philadelphia and Louisville feature hot, humid summers and chilly winters. These areas have average winter temperatures at

13542-402: The spring and summer. Higher elevations are substantially cooler than the valleys during the day, and tend to receive more precipitation throughout the year. 34°36′N 95°00′W  /  34.600°N 95.000°W  / 34.600; -95.000 American black bear 16, see text Euarctos americanus The American black bear ( Ursus americanus ), also known as

13664-421: The state, including Broken Bow Lake , Clayton Lake , McGee Creek Lake , Pine Creek Lake , and Sardis Lake , are framed by views of the mountains. Due to the restricted nature of land ownership in the region—with much of it owned by the federal government or timber companies—the Kiamichi Mountains remain rustic, rural, economically undeveloped and with few population centers. The Kiamichi Mountains experience

13786-471: The warmest month 22 °C (72 °F) or higher. However, while some climatologists have opted to describe this climate type as a "humid subtropical climate", Köppen himself never used this term. The humid subtropical climate classification was officially created under the Trewartha climate classification . In this classification, climates are termed humid subtropical when they have at least 8 months with

13908-696: The wettest month – such as in Jacksonville , Charleston , Mobile , New Orleans, and Virginia Beach. A semblance of a monsoon pattern (dry winters/wet summers) is evident along the Atlantic coast from the Chesapeake Bay region and the Outer Banks south to Florida. The seasonal monsoon is much stronger on the Florida peninsula, as most locations in Florida have dry winters and wet summers. In addition, areas in Texas that are slightly inland from

14030-494: The wild is 18 years, though it is quite possible for wild individuals to survive for more than 23 years. The record age of a wild individual was 39 years, while that in captivity was 44 years. The average annual survival rate is variable, ranging from 86% in Florida to 73% in Virginia and North Carolina. In Minnesota, 99% of wintering adult bears were able to survive the hibernation cycle in one study. Remarkably,

14152-456: 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. During winter, American black bears consume 25–40% of their body weight. 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

14274-537: The winter monsoon is very well developed, as such eastern Asian humid subtropical zones have a strong winter dry season and heavy summer rainfall. Only in inland areas below the Yangtze River and coastal areas between approximately the Huai River and the beginning of the coast of Guangdong is there sufficient winter rainfall to produce a Cfa climate; even in these areas, rainfall and streamflow display

14396-445: The world's largest captive male and female American black bears. Ted, the male, weighed 431–453.5 kg (950–1,000 lb) in the fall of 2006. Honey, the female, weighed 219.6 kg (484 lb) in the fall of 2007. The fur is soft, with dense underfur and long, coarse, thick guard hairs. The fur is not as shaggy or coarse as that of brown bears. American black bear skins can be distinguished from those of Asian black bears by

14518-627: The world. Urban examples include Bratislava , Budapest , and the Innere Stadt of Vienna . In the Azores , some islands have this climate, with very mild and rainy winters (>13 °C (55 °F)) and no snowfall, warm summers (>21 °C (70 °F)) but with no dry season during the warmest period, which means that they can neither be classified as oceanic , nor as Mediterranean , only as humid subtropical, as with Corvo Island . In many other climate classification systems outside of

14640-709: Was the cattle-killer shot in December 1921 on the Moqui Reservation in Arizona . The record-sized American black bear from New Jersey was shot in Morris County December 2011 and scaled 376.5 kg (830 lb). The Pennsylvania state record weighed 399 kg (880 lb) and was shot in November 2010 in Pike County . The North American Bear Center, located in Ely, Minnesota , is home to

14762-489: Was thought to have been the offspring of an escaped female Asian black bear and a male American black bear. In 1859, an American black bear and a Eurasian brown bear were bred together in the London Zoological Gardens , but the three cubs that were born died before they reached maturity. In The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication , Charles Darwin noted: In the nine-year Report it

14884-601: Was unable to determine whether it was a large American black bear or a grizzly bear. Sixteen subspecies are traditionally recognized; however, a recent genetic study does not support designating some of these, such as the Florida black bear, as distinct subspecies. Listed alphabetically according to subspecific name: Historically, American black bears occupied the majority of North America's forested regions. Today, they are primarily limited to sparsely settled, forested areas. American black bears currently inhabit much of their original Canadian range, though they seldom occur in

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