Wisconsin Wildlife - Black Bear

by Wisconsin-Getaway-Cabins.com

Among the various species of Wisconsin wildlife is the American Black Bear. Present in the more Northern regions of the state, these awesome creatures are formidable, yet shy. They are native to Wisconsin and live anywhere from five to thirty years. They are the only bear species in Wisconsin.

Black but occasionally brown, tan or cinnamon in color with a light brown snout, they have a short tail that is usually unnoticed. Some of them have a white patch on their chest. These creatures are omnivores, meaning they eat plants and animals including leaves, nuts, roots, fruit, berries, grass, insects, fish, small mammals or carrion (dead animals).

The cubs are very cute, and in fact, the teddy bear originated from a bear cub that Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot. Although they are quite cuddly looking when they're young, they grow to be ferocious fighters in maturity as males fight once a year for the right to mate and usually exhibit scars from these entanglements.

Adult males range from 4.5 to 6 feet long and 3 to 3.5 feet tall. They tend to weigh between 250 and 350 pounds. Females, however, range from about 4 to 5 feet long and weigh between 120 and 180 pounds.They have five clawed toes that help bears hunt, climb and tear. They walk with a clumsy gait, but


can actually run quite fast in short bursts.

In the fall, they build their nest in a hollowed tree, cave, rock formation, etc., where they will remain until the next spring. They eat for six to eight months and during near-hibernation, they enter their dens and sleep, but do not eat, drink or go potty. Since they do awaken and move around the den, they do not truly hibernate like other animals, but definitely stay inside. During this dormant period, mother bears give birth to and nurse their tiny cubs. The fatter the mama bear upon entering her winter hideaway, the more cubs she bears. Lean females will not give birth.

Black bears tend to be timid and avoid human contact, which can make them hard to find. However, unlike Grizzly Bears, they don't always attack out of self-defense and "playing dead" doesn't work for these animals. Usually, when black bears come into contact with man, it is because of their desire for food. Therefore, do not leave food out that will attract bears into your yard.

Evidence of black bears include long narrow scars on tree trunks or tufts of hair on lower parts of the tree trunks caused by bears rubbing and scratching when shedding their winter coats. The print of the hind foot of the bear resembles a human footprint somewhat.