Widely distributed in North America, the black bear occurs from the east to the west coast, as far north as Alaska and as far south as Mexico. It is not found on Prince Edward Island, in northern Alberta, northern Saskatchewan, or in extreme northern Ontario. The map provides a rough outline of its range. Although found in a variety of habitats, the black bear prefers heavily wooded areas and dense bushland. Maximum numbers are probably attained in areas of mixed coniferous deciduous forests.
Black bears are difficult to census because they are shy and secretive.
The black bear is a bulky and thickset mammal. Approximately 150 cm long and with a height at the shoulder that varies from 100 to 120 cm, an adult black bear has a moderate sized head with a rather straight facial profile and a tapered nose with long nostrils. Its lips, unlike those of other animals such as the wolf or bobcat, are free from the gums and can be manipulated with amazing dexterity. This adaptation and a long manipulative tongue greatly assist the bear when it feast on tiny blueberries or even tinier ants. The ears are rounded and the eyes small.