The black bear Ursus americanus is one of the most familiar wild animals in North America today. To many campers it is both a nuisance and an exciting part of their outdoor experience. Most visitors to Canada's provincial and national parks are disappointed if they fail to catch a glimpse of a bear. All black bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are black in color, but in other parts of the country they may be brown or cinnamon. Black bears may be six feet in length and up to three feet high at the shoulder.
Females are generally smaller and weigh less than males.
Bears weigh eight ounces at birth and can weigh 400 pounds or more as an adult. Sometimes bears are attracted to areas used by people, becoming unwelcome visitors. Many people do not realize that by simply altering their behavior they can minimize the chance of unwanted close encounters with bears. Many people journey deep into the woods with tents and campers. They want to enjoy the beauty of the forest and see wildlife.