Black bears travel and feed primarily at night. Females with cubs tend to have restricted home ranges which average six to 19 square miles, while males move about widely in home ranges of 12 to 60 square miles. The size of a home range varies geographically and often depends on the type of habitat. Most ranges are used by more than one bear, but specific areas are rarely used at the same time. Male and female ranges can overlap, but overlap among the same sex is less common.
Black bears are good tree climbers and strong swimmers.
They can also run up to 35 miles per hour. Black bears are not classified as true hibernators but their body temperature is lowered and heart rate slowed during winter denning. Denned bears do not eat, drink, urinate or defecate. However, they will usually wake up if disturbed during their winter dormancy. Denning enables bears to overcome unfavorable weather conditions and lack of food during winter.