Perhaps no other animal has so excited the human imagination as the bear. References to bears are found in literature, folk songs, legends, mythology, fairy tales, and cartoons. The black bear ranges across forested Canada from Newfoundland to British Columbia as well as much of the United States. A solitary animal most of the year, they pair up briefly during the mating season. Cubs remain with their mother for about a year, who protects which prevents them from being killed by the adult males.
Color phases can vary from blonde to black, with brown or cinnamon being the most common.
Nevada s black bear population is estimated at 200-300 animals, and occupies many of the states far western mountain ranges, mainly the Sierra Nevada. Due to its ability to adapt they have maintained much of their range where habitat has been left for them. At one time black bears were found in the oak woodlands of the Central Valley. The Black Bear, regardless of how friendly he may seem, is a dangerous, wild animal, capable of inflicting severe injury by one blow of his powerful paw or a bite from his well- armed jaws. A visitor who feeds or even approaches a bear too closely not only is risking injury to himself but is contributing to a condition that may cause the injury of an innocent visitor in the future.