SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ursus americanus

When some kids think about bears, “Smokey” or “Yogi” come to mind. Our bear habitat gives them a chance to see black bears up close and personal. Handlers will teach you about the breeding, gestation, and other habits of bears.

“Did you know bears have poor eyesight but they have an excellent sense of smell?”

More information:
The North American bear is the smallest of black bears and least aggressive. At one time they lived throughout most of North America, but hunting and agriculture have driven the bear into heavily forested areas, where about 80,000 survive. It has well-defined color variants including chocolate-brown, cinnamon and a silver gray. The black bear hibernates between five to seven months each year usually in small caves, crevices, or geological features. During hibernation its body temperature falls to 88 degrees F., from a normal 101 F. The frequency of the bear’s heartbeat decreases to about 50 percent of normal with other body functions diminished 40-50 percent. Females hibernate longer than males, especially while suckling cubs. Cubs are born blind and toothless and stay with their mother for at least six months after birth.

The black bear has a great sense of smell and hearing and are powerful swimmers and agile climbers. Black bears can also run up to 25 miles per hour. Behaviors will vary, but intimidation is common with bears. They will use a whole range of facial and mouth expressions including snarling, opening and closing the mouth rapidly while salivating, bearing teeth and making chomping noises.