However, other unlisted but scattered populations, such as those in Florida, are vulnerable to poaching, habitat loss, and roadkill deaths. Some estimates put the continent's black bear population at about a half million. The American black bear's diet is varied, but mostly vegetarian, including twigs, roots, berries, young plants, and buds. Small mammals and fish augment the diet, when they are easily caught. American black bears mate during the early summer months.
Females mature after three to four years, and usually give birth to two cubs, every other year.
Although slow breeders, American black bears reproduce faster than brown bears, which helps them sustain hunting and other pressures. In late summer and fall, American black bears wander far and wide searching for high-protein foods such as acorns. In areas of heavy hunting, however, they adapt to nighttime hours. American black bears, except for females with young, generally forage alone. Adult males do not tolerate other bears, except during breeding season.