Energy or body processes comes from fat accumulated before denning. Bears emerging from hibernation have little interest in eating or drinking. Cub survival can be much lower when food is poor. Much of the meat they eat is insects and carrion. Mortality caused by humans, hunting, poaching, killing of problem bears is the leading cause of death among most black bear populations.
Black bears range in color from black and dark brown to cinnamon or even blond.
Bears have an acute sense of smell. They can scent a person as much as a mile away and detect molecules of food on clothing that had been carried in a backpack with food. The strength of bears is also legendary. They have been known to tear into freezers, rip into vehicles and campers and smash down doors and walls to get to food. Bears are very intelligent and curious and have good memories.