Prior to European settlement, the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilus) called the Sierra Nevada home. Today this symbol of California is extinct throughout the state; in fact the last known California grizzly was killed quite close to Sequoia National Park in 1922. The savvy Sierran black bear (Ursus americanus), however, still ranges from the foothills to the high country.

Follow these links to learn more about Black Bear Biology:

| Hibernation | Reproduction | Anatomy and Physiology |
| Food and Feeding Habits | Communication |

Did you know?

The black bear has:

• A keen sense of smell
• Enlarged molars
• Forty-two teeth
• Lips that are free from the gums (mobile and protrusile)
• Five toes on each foot and is plantigrade (flatfooted)
• Non-retractable claws and only digs with its forefeet
• Forelegs shorter than hindlegs and walks with front feet turned inward
• Low reproductive rates
• Unusual reproduction (delayed implantation of the fertilized egg)
• An illusion of clumsiness due to fat and fur but it is a remarkably agile and fast runner
• A short tail and when it sits, its sits on its rump
• No obvious external differences in sexes except the females are typically slightly smaller in weight.
• A high degree of unpredictability

Black Bears also:

• Snore
• Are susceptible to diseases common to humans
• Are highly evolved, intelligent and very curious
• Are generally solitary, except female with cubs
• Are extremely adaptable
• Are a symbol of wilderness

Much of the information cited in the Bear Biology section of this website comes from the Great Bear Almanac by Gary Brown. Brown, Gary. The Great Bear Almanac (Lyons and Burford, Publishers, 1993)