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67-429: Stuart Lake offers a variety of recreational activities, including boating, canoeing, kayaking swimming, and sunbathing at sandy beaches. Fishing enthusiasts can enjoy the abundance of fish in the lake, while water skiing provides thrills for adrenaline seekers. Visitors can also explore ancient indigenous pictographs, camp in the surrounding areas, and engage in snowmobiling, ice fishing, ice sailing, and dog sledding during

134-567: A North West Company trading post, leaving behind for the winter a garrison led by clerk John Stuart , in whose honor the English name of the lake was given. The original name, in the Dakelh language , is Nak'albun ( Athapascan pronunciation: [nakʼalpʌn] ), literally Mt. Pope Lake , after the mountain that overlooks it, Nak'al ( Athapascan pronunciation: [nakʼal] ), known in English as Mt. Pope . The changing of names of

201-766: 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

268-624: 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

335-407: 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

402-1275: 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

469-506: 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

536-827: 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

603-419: 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,

670-524: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . American black bear 16, see text Euarctos americanus The American black bear ( Ursus americanus ), also known as 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

737-735: 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

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804-456: Is set in the midst of a historic region. A short walk from the park is the Fort St. James National Historic Site, which is housed in the Fort St. James. It is a restored Hudson's Bay Company Post. The post commemorates the partnership between the fur traders and First Nations People . In the vicinity of the park is another historic building, Our Lady of Good Hope Church. Built in 1873, it is

871-439: Is sometimes attracted to human communities due to the immediate availability of food. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists 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

938-508: 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

1005-468: Is the crossing of the Stuart River, which accommodates one of the largest sockeye salmon runs in the world, and Pitka Creek which flows into Stuart Lake." Paarens Beach Provincial Park Paarens Beach Provincial Park is a provincial park in central British Columbia , Canada . It is located on the south-west shore of Stuart Lake, to the west of Fort St. James . Paarens Beach Provincial

1072-609: 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

1139-628: 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

1206-1077: 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

1273-627: 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 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

1340-532: 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

1407-609: 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

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1474-577: 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 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,

1541-519: 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

1608-594: 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

1675-610: 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),

1742-436: 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

1809-494: The basin. The lake is usually ice-covered from mid-December to early May. Stuart Lake contains rainbow trout , char or lake trout, whitefish, kokanee, Dolly Varden, burbot fish and in deeper areas sturgeon (protected). Villages on Stuart Lake or Nak'albun, were connected to Dakelh villages on Fraser Lake ( Nadlehbunk'ut ) on an ancient land route called Nyan Wheti Nyan Wheti in Carrier means "The Way Across." The trail

1876-615: 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

1943-400: 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

2010-759: 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

2077-415: 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

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2144-549: 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

2211-521: 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

2278-520: 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

2345-672: 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

2412-445: 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;

2479-865: 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

2546-495: 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

2613-568: The lakes reflects the doctrine of discovery upheld by Canada's colonial government as well as the colonial history of the area. In 2012, the "Mayor and Council of the District of Fort St. James unanimously voted to adopt a resolution declaring their opposition to the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project ." Their decision was based on concerns for "the land base and our fresh water sources. Of particular concern locally

2680-629: 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

2747-529: 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,

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2814-801: 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

2881-838: 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

2948-533: 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 ,

3015-471: 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

3082-558: 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

3149-461: 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

3216-403: 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

3283-434: 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

3350-415: 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

3417-475: 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

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3484-408: 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

3551-524: 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

3618-497: 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

3685-486: 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

3752-592: 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

3819-493: 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

3886-639: 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

3953-596: The third oldest church in the province. It closed in 1951, but there is a weekly mass in the summer months, which visitors can attend. The park's contrasting terrain and the different types of vegetation form rich habitats for species like moose, black bear , mule and white-tail deer, wolf, and grizzly bear. The park also has a healthy population of lynx, beaver, mink, marten, fisher, otter and wolverine. 54°25′14″N 124°22′39″W  /  54.4205°N 124.3776°W  / 54.4205; -124.3776 This British Columbia protected areas related article

4020-494: 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,

4087-512: 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

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4154-453: The winter months. Two provincial park campgrounds, Paarens Beach and Sowchea Bay , as well as a small municipal campground, are located on the southern shore of the lake. Additionally, there are several motels, lodges, and private campgrounds in the area to accommodate visitors. Moorage facilities are available at several marinas for those arriving by boat. Fort St. James has several lumber mills as do several smaller aboriginal communities in

4221-445: 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

4288-738: Was part of the network of trails called the Grease Trail used by the Dakelh people for as a major trade, travel and communication line. the Cheslatta Trail continues south to Cheslatta Lake . Stuart Lake is important to British Columbia history, being the location of one of the oldest non-native settlements in the province , Fort St. James . The first non-native to visit the lake was James McDougall in 1806. McDougall's explorations were undertaken as an assistant to Simon Fraser . Fraser and other members of his expedition soon established

4355-765: 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

4422-489: 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

4489-601: 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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