BLACK BEAR 



The pelage is longest and glossiest from the time the Bears 

 go into hibernation until soon after they come out in the 

 spring; in summer the coat may be ragged and dull. Con- 

 siderable variation in color is shown, and in some regions 



Fig. 17. Elack Bear 



the Brown or Cinnamon Bear may be fairly common; else- 

 where the Brown may be very scarce and the Black Bear the 

 prevailing type. 



Measurements. — Total length, about 60 inches; tail 

 vertebras, 5 inches; hind foot, 7.25 inches; height at shoulders, 

 25 inches. Weight from about 200 to 450 or 500 pounds. 



Geographical Distribution. — Most of wooded North 

 America, 



Food. — Omnivorous; a great variety of vegetable and 

 animal life: grass, fruit, berries, roots, ants, honey, any 

 mammals or birds it can catch, fish and frogs, carrion. 



Enemies. — Practically none when full grown, except under 

 exceptional circumstances. 



Species and Subspecies of the Genus Euarctos 



American Black Bear. — Euarctos americanus americanus 

 (Pallas). 

 As described above. Formerly found over much of eastern 

 North America, but now exterminated in many places; 

 known today in New York and Pennsylvania south to 

 Georgia, north to Ungava, and west to British Columbia 

 and Yukon. Plate IV. 



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