Order CARNIVORA. CARNIVOROUS OR 

 FLESH-EATING MAMMALS 



Placental mammals, small to large in size, with following 

 characters: feet bearing claws; dentition modified for a flesh 

 diet; brain rather highly developed (cerebral hemispheres 

 showing distinct convolutions); habit typically terrestrial, 

 rarely aquatic, semi-arboreal or semi-f ossorial ; condyle of 

 lower jaw articulating transversely; clavicle reduced or 

 absent; stomach simple. 



Family Ursidae. Bears 



Size large to very large, largest of the carnivorous mammals ; 

 form robust; legs stout and rather short; feet plantigrade, 

 with five digits ; tail very short ; pelage long and heavy ; molar 

 teeth of crushing type with broad, flat crowns; no highly 

 specialized carnassial teeth; terrestrial in habit (except for 

 the Polar Bear which is semi-aquatic). 



Genus Euarctos 



Dentition: Incisors, f ; Canines, {; Premolars, |; Molars, f =42. 



Black Bear. — Euarctos americanus 



and related forms 



Names. — Black Bear; American Black Bear; American 

 Bear; Common Black Bear; Cinnamon Bear; Brown Bear. 



General Description. — A medium-sized Bear of dark color- 

 ation, black or dark brown in color; claws of forefeet curved, 

 slightly longer than those of hind feet; facial profile straight, 

 not dished; pelage long and moderately soft. 



Color. — Sexes colored alike; some seasonal variation, chiefly 

 in length and glossiness of pelage. 



Upperparts varying with the individual and the season 

 from deep glossy black to cinnamon-brown; nose brownish; 

 underparts very much the same as upperparts; sometimes 

 with spot of white on chest. 



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