They have poor eyesight, fair hearing, and a keen sense of smell. They are omnivorous and eat grasses, leaves, fruit, nuts and berries. Occasionally they will prey on small mammals, rarely deer and livestock. They will also eat insects, particularly ants and bees, and scavenge carrion. Female black bears weigh between 110 and 150 pounds, while males typically weigh between 200 and 250 pounds.
Adults are five to six feet long.
Good tree climbers and swimmers, they can also run up to 35 miles per hour . Females will defend their cubs, so it is important to keep away from them and never get between a female and her cubs. Females with cubs generally range between six to 19 square miles, while males range between 12 and 60 square miles. During breeding season, usually late June and early July, males travel extensively in search of females. For a free copy of the brochure, call DEM s Division of Enforcement at 222-2284 .