American Black Bear

Species Identification and Safety

American black bears (Ursus americanus) live throughout North America from uppermost Canada to northern Mexico. Although their range is more fractured than it once was, they can still be found in almost all 50 states. These adaptive predators thrive in swamps, mountains, and beaches, feeding on berries and roots in addition to meat and fish.

Seeing a bear in the wild can be a wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime experience. As more people move more into rural and woodland areas, black bear encounters are increasing, but the vast majority of these instances end safely and peacefully. Being prepared in bear country by learning how to differentiate species and what to do during a sighting helps us protect both the wild and ourselves.

  • They’re also the mostly widely distributed, once occupying Canada, all 48 continental states, and northern Mexico.

  • Black bears are true omnivores that wield one of the strongest noses in the animal kingdom. Their sense of smell is so powerful that it can lead them to food from over two miles away! They primarily consume berries, fruit, and roots, but they also feed on insects, fish, honey, and carrion. They will eat almost anything, and their diet adapts to whatever is available.

  • While many predators establish a territory to defend from other males, bears have home ranges which are shared with other bears of both sexes at different times of the year. Adult black bears are generally solitary animals, except during mating season.

Did you know…?

Myths & misinformation

  • Fact: black bears prefer to avoid humans when given the chance. While mother bears may scare off perceived threats by making a show, more than 90% of the relatively few black bear attacks come from adult males. Cubs know to get away from danger by climbing trees, where they are safe.
    Read more below about danger and safety in bear country.

  • Fact: the most common color for black bears is actually brown! Brown bears can also have dark coats that appear black at first glance.

  • Fact: there have been less than 70 known deaths from black bear attacks since 1900. Between 2000-2017, there were less than 12 black bear conflict incidents in total.

Are black bears dangerous?

Bears have a reputation for being aggressive, dangerous, and unpredictable. This idea has stuck because bears are portrayed as fearful in media, bear-human conflict is overreported, and self-defensive bluffs are often misunderstood as an attack with the intent to harm.

Bears, especially black bears, prefer to retreat than to risk life and limb in a fight. Many myths, like warnings against camping in bear country while menstruating, contribute to the excessive fear of bears. More than half of black bear attacks between 2000-2017 were defensive. Statistics reveal that black bears would rather avoid humans, and they almost never go out of their way to hurt us.

Are black bear attacks common?

Black bears have killed less than 70 people in just 59 incidents since 1900. This is set into perspective by the hundreds of thousands of black bears in North America, many of which live close to towns and suburbs. Most of these deaths happened to people who were alone in the wilderness.

Mother black bears have a reputation for being aggressive, but male adult black bears were the culprit in more than 90% of fatal incidents. Most non-fatal conflicts occur between a female with cubs and people with dogs. Sows will lunge to scare off threats and defend their cubs, but they are statistically very unlikely to end in death. Risk is greatly increased when food is left outdoors in areas where a nearby bear has already obtained a food reward.

Dying from a black bear attack is less likely than dying from…

Dog attack

Lawnmower accident

Constipation

Falling from a tree

Brown bears, which include the Kodiak and grizzly subspecies, have higher rates of aggression and fatality during encounters. They are also much less widespread and have a far smaller population.

Your first line of defense from danger is being able to differentiate between black and brown bears. Only then can you judge the risk level in a situation and know how to respond.

What about other bears?

Black bear or brown bear?

Begin identification by learning which bears are where.

Both black and brown bears once roamed more of North America, but their ranges have shrunk since colonialism arrived. Learn which bears are in your area to narrow down which species are most likely to be found. Knowing which regional subspecies are local can help avoid mistakes.

Black bears aren’t always black!

Black bears and brown bears both vary in fur color, so identifying a bear on color alone can lead to mistakes.

Taxonomists have described over a dozen subspecies of the American black bear, and their coats can be black, bluish, brown, or tan! There is even a rare white subspecies found in British Columbia, known as the Kermode or Spirit Bear.

Some of the colors that have been observed in the American black bear.

Similarly, brown bears in North America have at least two subspecies: the grizzly bear and the Kodiak bear. Grizzly bear fur can range from blonde to brown to nearly black.

Because of this, identification based on color is not ideal. Look at a combination of factors including color, face and body shape, and geographic location to make an identification.

Look for facial differences…

Brown bears have a bumpier face and short, round ears.

Black bears have a straighter face and tall, pointed ears.

…and for differences in body shape.

Brown bears have a shoulder hump, and their shoulder is often higher than their rump.

Black bears lack a shoulder hump, and their rump is usually taller than their shoulders.

Body size can be misleading!

Black and brown bears vary in size due to age, sex, and species. Size is a not reliable identifier because a young or female brown bear can be very similar in size to adult black bear. Use multiple characteristics to determine your identification.

Avoiding bear encounters

The safest encounter is the one that is avoided.

Be smart outdoors

Conflict can be avoided by being educated on local bear species and keeping outdoor attractants in bear-resistant containers. Keep bears away from pets and livestock, out of your garage and home, and restricted from accessing food and garbage.

Dog safety

Over 25% of all black bear conflicts involved a dog, and the dog was off-leash in almost 80% of those incidents. Check beforehand if dogs are allowed on the trail. Always keep your dog on a non-retractable leash outdoors, and consider leaving Fido safe at home when hiking in bear country.

Hike prepared

Hiking in bear country can be low-risk when people hike in a group, carry bear spray, and keep dogs at home or on a leash. Make noise while hiking to avoid surprises and keep children close-by. Know best practices when camping in bear country, such as how to manage attractants like food.

What have you learned?

  • Black bears are much more common and widespread in this region than brown bears.

  • Brown bears have a shoulder hump, and their shoulders are usually higher than their rumps.

  • Both black and brown bears can have brown fur.

Practice identification with these quizzes:

Illustrations by Becca Hallstedt

References

  • Black Bear Range - North American Bear Center. (2023, March 28). North American Bear Center. https://bear.org/bear-facts/black-bear-range/

  • Brown / Grizzly Bear Facts - North American Bear Center. (2024, January 2). North American Bear Center. https://bear.org/bear-facts/brown-grizzly-bear-facts/

  • Carlos, A. W. D., Bright, A. D., Teel, T. L., & Vaske, J. J. (2009). Human–Black bear conflict in urban areas: An Integrated Approach to Management response. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 14(3), 174–184. https://doi.org/10.1080/10871200902839316

  • Cleary, M., Joshi, O., & Fairbanks, W. S. (2021). Factors that Determine Human Acceptance of Black Bears. Journal of Wildlife Management, 85(3), 582–592. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.21999

  • Dunn, W. C., Elwell, J. H., & Tunberg, G. (2008). Safety education in bear country: Are people getting the message. BioOne Complete. https://doi.org/10.2192/1537-6176(2008)19

  • Edwards, S. (2025, February 20). Black Bear color variations. Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. https://education.turpentinecreek.org/2024/06/22/black-bear-color-variations/

  • Fuchs, M. (2018). All teeth and claws: Constructing bears as Man-Eating Monsters in television documentaries. European Journal of American Studies, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.4000/ejas.12446

  • Herrero, S., Higgins, A., Cardoza, J. E., Hajduk, L. I., & Smith, T. S. (2011). Fatal attacks by American black bear on people: 1900–2009. Journal of Wildlife Management, 75(3), 596–603. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.72

  • Hristienko, H., & McDonald, J. E. (2007). Going into the 21st century: a perspective on trends and controversies in the management of the American black bear. BioOne Complete. https://doi.org/10.2192/1537-6176(2007)18

  • Quick Black Bear Facts - North American Bear Center. (2023, March 28). North American Bear Center. https://bear.org/bear-facts/quick-black-bear-facts

  • Scharhag, J. M. (2019). Black Bear Attack Association and Agency Risk management. https://minds.wisconsin.edu/handle/1793/80138

  • Siemer, W. F., Hart, P. S., Decker, D. J., & Shanahan, J. E. (2009). Factors that Influence Concern About Human–Black Bear Interactions in Residential Settings. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 14(3), 185–197. https://doi.org/10.1080/10871200902856138

  • Understanding & Managing Bears - Bears (U.S. National Park Service). (n.d.). https://www.nps.gov/subjects/bears/managing.htm