Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
- Texas Status
- Threatened
- Description
For more information on threatened species in Texas, see Federal and State Listed Species in Texas.
For information on safety in bear country and for solutions to human-bear conflict, visit:
The Black Bear is a stocky, large animal, one of the largest mammals in North America. Adults reach a length of 5 to 6 feet, height at the shoulder of 2 to 3 feet, and weigh 90-400 pounds or more, depending on food resources. Although called a "black" bear, colors can range from black to the occasional cinnamon brown. Front claws are generally longer than hind claws. The fur is long and coarse. Although generally harmless, Black Bears can injure humans when provoked and should be treated with caution (see BearWise and Bear Safety for more information on safety and conflict linked above).
- Life History
Diet
Although classified as a carnivore, the Black Bear is a true omnivore, opportunistically feeding on a wide range of food items. Analysis of scat (bear droppings) shows that vegetable material almost always comprises well over half of a bear's diet, with insects and other animals comprising a small percentage. In particular, fresh leaves, fruits, berries, nuts, roots, and tubers are favorite foods seasonally, with insects and small mammals eaten when the opportunity arises.
Bears frequently break the branches of nut-bearing trees while feeding and tear up the ground looking for insects, roots, or tubers. Black Bears in the desert environments of Texas especially relish the succulent base of the sotol plant (Dasylirion) and it is common to find these plants partially eaten where bears have been. Bears will also strip the bark from trees while looking for insects or juicy pulp and will often rub themselves on rough bark.
Offspring
Breeding occurs in June and July. Pregnant female black bears hibernate, but in Texas, other females and males will not necessarily hibernate if food is available. When bears hibernate, their heartbeat and respiration slow down dramatically, but their body temperature only drops somewhat, and they can be easily awakened. Cubs are born in January or February, while the mother is "hibernating". She normally gives birth to two-to-three cubs every two years.
- Habitat
The American Black Bear is found throughout much of North America in habitats ranging from swamps to desert scrub. At least two subspecies of Black Bear are thought to occur in Texas: the Mexican Black Bear (Ursus americanus eremicus) and the New Mexico Black Bear (subspecies U. a. amblyceps). Both are found in West Texas in desert scrub or woodland habitats within scattered mountain ranges, predominantly the Chisos and Guadalupe Mountains. The Louisiana Black Bear (subspeciesU. a. luteolus) is not known to be found in Texas, though occasionally, an individual Eastern Black Bear (subspecies U. a. americanus) may wander into northeastern Texas for a short time before returning to Arkansas or Oklahoma; however, potential forested habitat exists in the eastern part of the state.
- Distribution
Map of county-level confirmed bear reports from 2013-2023 (inclusive) submitted to TPWD. Reports including confirmation of a mother with cubs (in red) indicate local breeding and therefore are counties that represent the current bear range in Texas. Other counties with reports where breeding has not been documented are likely only occasionally visited by bears.
A population requires resident breeding female bears. Currently, the only population of Black Bears in Texas is in the Trans-Pecos and Val Verde and Crockett counties. Black Bears can move far distances, especially when dispersing as subadults or searching for resources in times of drought or mast failure. Therefore, a Black Bear can show up almost anywhere in the state and the presence of a single individual in an area does not mean there is a local bear population.
The Black Bear is on the state threatened species list. TPWD encourages people to report recent bear sightings to their local Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologist. Research is currently underway by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to estimate the population size of Black Bears in West Texas and to better understand how the species is recolonizing parts of Texas.