Biology Bears are powerfully-built animals. They stand about 30 inches at the shoulder and weights range from 140 to 400 pounds, with rare individuals weighing more than 800 pounds. Most Pennsylvania bears are black, although a few are cinnamon-color. The body is glossy black, the muzzle tinged with tan. Sexes are colored alike.
Bears walk in a shuffling, flat-footed manner.
Each foot has five toes, each with a curved claw. Extremely agile for their size, bears sometimes stand erect on their hind feet to see and smell better. Top speed is 30 miles per hour over a short distance. Black bears climb easily and swim well. Black bears have an acute sense of smell, but their vision is poor.