Fun Facts for Kids

• A Black bear standing on his back legs may not be about to charge. He may just be following his curiosity and trying to smell and see something better.
• Black bears are very intelligent and have excellent long-term memory and much better navigation skills as compared to people. Each one is an individual and often they share with each other their security, resources, and friendships.
• American black bears have better eyesight and hearing than humans. Their keenest sense is their sense of smell, which is about seven times more sensitive than a domestic dog's.
• Black bears can survive without food during hibernation for as long as seven months.
• American black bears often mark trees using their teeth and claws as a form of communication with other bears; such behavior is also common to many species of bears.
• The Teddy Bear was named after President Theodore Roosevelt.

The American black bear (Ursus americanus) is a medium-sized bear endemic to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most widely distributed bear species. American black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but will leave forests in search of food, and are sometimes attracted to human communities due to the immediate availability of food.