Nature smart

American Black Bear taken in northern MN in the wild

By Stan Tekiela

We could see it moving through the tall, dull green grass of late summer, and it is moving in our direction. I told the group that we better move back and get our cameras ready. It looks like it will be walking directly towards us, and it was a big one. Next, I told the group, “For this image to work, we will need to get down low and switch from horizontal to vertical format”.

Only a minute later, my prediction was correct, it was walking straight at us. Using a very long lens so we could keep a distance, the group was able to capture some very impressive images of a male American Black Bear (Ursus americanus). This particular bear was well over 500 pounds and was getting ready for hibernation.

The American Black Bear, usually just called Black Bear, are called “American” because they are endemic (found only) in North America. Of the three bear species found in North America, it is the smallest but the most widespread bear species.

The Black Bear evolved from another bear species around 4 to 5 million years ago. Since that time, based on fossil records, the Black Bear has become smaller. Historically, the American Black Bear roamed most of North America but today is restricted to most of the Northeast, going down the Appalachian Mountains, the northern states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. They are also found all across Canada and down the Rocky Mountains and down the west coast well into California.

Adult male Black Bears average between 200-500 pounds. Adult females are smaller and are between 100-375 pounds. Black Bears found in northern states and Canada are larger than ones found in southern states. This is a good example of the Bergmann’s rule, which is a biological rule that states the larger the animal’s body the easier it is to stay warm in the cold of winter and the smaller the animal’s body the easier it is to keep cool in the heat of summer.

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