Image by Danika Perkinson
Sub-Topics
Hey fellow bear lover, here some insight about our fellow bear-stie (:
Physiology Evolution
defining the changes of the black bear that allowed them to hunt better for their survival
The American black bear adapted from the Ursidae family. This family had started in Northern America and as migration begun has now spread to Europe and Asia.
The Ursidae family consists of traits similar to the Grizzly Bear that is now extinct but and also to Asian Red Panda. In that in mind, this allows the Black Bears to have the ability to be comfortable resting and preying in trees.
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3 Core Senses (Smell, Vision, Hearing)
Understanding the core senses and how they help in everyday lifestyle
the American Black Bears are often known for their their hearing and also their height. Although many don't know that they actually have heighten hearing and focused vision.
According to"Bears Attack" we see that this allow the animal to able to hunt for their preys quickly and able to hide from their predators easier.
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These bears also have an incredible vision able to see clear as day from 2 football fields away. Talk about 20/20 vision
Metabolic Rates During Hibernation
Understanding the connection of metabolic changes during hibernation stage
The American black bears have a long winter period of hibernation. Their hibernations last for about 7 months (Quick black bear facts). During this period their body begins to slow down their metabolic rate . This allow them to slow their digestive system while also slowly down their body heat.
This also includes how their overall muscle has a reduced rate of atrophy during hibernation.Not allowing the muscle to get weak but slowly function as the whole body slows the function of everything.
Reproduction
The reproducing of American Black Bears and their cycles
The reproduction of the black bear is actually quite low , these animals have a max of 2 litters in their life time. These bears have a good status in their population so it is not an issue for reproduction. Although during the hunting season of these bears, they were put in conservation sites. This is where controlled population came in place.
In mind that these bears don't have a specific birthing season as they can even give birth during their hibernation period.
Lastly one misconception about black bears is that they only have black coats when in reality they have from cinnamon, brown-is, and even white.
Thermal Physiology
When you think of thermal, many just think how animals are staying warm. Kinda how Polar bears stay warm in Antarctica. In fact, Black bears obtain so much heat that they need to find ways to cool off.
In a study done by BioOne, they found that in the months of summer, these bears would try to find any source to cool off even if it meant submerging into water. Also during hibernation their temperature can stay high while the temperature in the environment can be in negative.
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This is a main reason why American Black bears are great hibernators by being able to obtain heat but downfall of always being hot.
Behavior
Many people label these bears the same way they label pitbulls; as agressive and fearful. On the other hand these animals are just very territorial and in a sense introverts. They tend to always be in trees or mainly in places that are not accessible to humans. These animals have a known data of having minor injuries towards humans in Yellow State Park at least and at times mainly just become obsessive hunting for human food.
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Although theses Bears are omnivore, they are easily frighten of strange predators like humans and attack if provoked. This causes slight downfall on their diet since it mainly consists of berries and plants. This can change a lot of their hibernation phase in the winter.