Glossary. Black bear (also called the American black bear) – The black bear is the most common species of bear in North America. It ranges across most of the continent, from northern Canada and Alaska to Mexico and from the east to west coast. In many other places, black bears are usually black in color. In Yellowstone, only about 50% of black bears are black. The rest are brown or blonde in color. Scientific name: Ursus americanus.