Black Bear Family

Yesterday I had the privilege of observing a sow black bear with two little spring cubs feeding in a cottonwood tree. The cubs were learning to break off branches and eat the seeds, discarding each branch after it was stripped clean. I watched them for nearly 3 hours from a respectful distance until they descended and moved on. Perhaps most encouraging was the fact that fellow human observers were keeping a safe distance as well - nobody approached the tree or let their dogs run loose, which is much appreciated by the staff here at the Nature Center but most of all, by the bears. 🐻

Colin

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Black Bear Color Phases

Not all black bears are black in color, as you can see with this chocolate colored cub. North American black bears exhibit a range of color phases including brown, cinnamon, blonde, and in the case of the spirit bears of British Columbia, even white. In some western states, brown and cinnamon colored bears are actually more common than black, as the lighter color reduces heat stress in direct sunlight. You can learn more from the North American Bear Center .