BLACK BEARS

The black bear is the smallest of North American bears. Even though this animal is called a black bear their color may vary from black to brown, cinnamon, blonde and occasionally white. Most have a white patch on their chest which is usually a round or “V” shape. 

Although they breed in late spring or early summer the young are born in January or February while the sow is in hibernation. It is common for two to three young to be born and these cubs will stay with their mother for at least a year. When they are about nine months of age they hibernate with their mother in the winter den. The following spring, when the cubs are ready to leave, the female breeds again. This is why black bears usually have cubs every second year. They do not mature or reproduce until they are at least four years old and many do not breed until the age of six. Because they usually only breed every second year bears cannot increase their numbers quickly.

Black bears are omnivorous which means they eat both plants and animals. Common foods include roots, berries, insects, honey and carrion. They will eat eggs, young birds and animals, including deer, elk and moose.

Black bears are typically animals of the northern forest but are also abundant throughout most of the parkland area of Saskatchewan. Their population fluctuates up and down depending primarily on two things- the availability of fall food and human activity. They can live up to 25 years in the wild, although their usual life span is about ten years. Their only enemies are humans, wolves and other bears.

Bears do not truly hibernate like some animals. They go into a “winter sleep” and during this time they will go without eating or drinking for about six months. Their heartbeat slows down, but their metabolism reduces only slightly and their body temperature remains about the same. The black bear has excellent hearing and a keen sense of smell. Do not under estimate the speed of an adult bear as they can reach speeds of up to 50 kph over short distances. There have been very few cases of black bears attacking humans and they generally try to avoid people. Bears will defend their food and most attacks on people are usually triggered in this manner.

Some aboriginal peoples believed that when a warrior died his spirit became part of a bear and would not kill one. Others, out of respect for its strength, included bear parts in their religious ceremonies.

In Asia, many people believe that certain bear parts, such as gall bladders, are powerful medicines. The unlawful sale of black bear parts including the galls, paws and claws continues to be a source of concern for conservation officers in Saskatchewan.
In North America, many people enjoy just watching or photographing bears while others enjoy hunting them for their fur or meat.

Proper wildlife and forest management will help insure that black bear populations will continue to remain strong in our province.