This heat then is radiated back into the atmosphere in the form of long-wave radiation. This long-wave radiation cannot penetrate cloud layers and remains trapped between the clouds and the ground. Thus, clouds act as a blanket, holding in heat. On cloudless nights, without this heat-trapping blanket, this radiation escapes into the atmosphere. Big Black Bears Black bears are one of the largest yet least often sighted mammals in the Adirondacks.
Males are generally much larger than females.
Males grow to about 60 to 70 inches tall and weigh 300 pounds on average. Some, however, can reach 600 pounds. Females range from 50 to 60 inches in height and weigh 150 to 200 pounds. Bears tend to be secretive, nocturnal animals and have a limited range of habitat, making them difficult to spot in the wild. Sightings usually occur around sites with people food, such as dumps and campgrounds.