(Ursus americanus) Black bears are not indigenous to Southern California. They were imported from Yosemite and introduced to the San Bernardino National Forest when the indigenous Grizzly Bear was hunted to extinction in the early 1900’s. Our black bear have all been rescued and are happy to call Big Bear Alpine Zoo their home. What do they eat? Black bears are omnivores and will eat just about anything. In the wild, the majority of their diet consists of vegetable matter including roots, nuts, berries and grasses. How long do they live? Black bears live about 15 to 25 years in captivity and much less than that in the wild. How many babies do they have? Black bear cubs are born in January or February while the mother is in the den. The litter size is anywhere from one to five cubs, but five is rare. Where are they Found? American black bears are found throughout North America.
- Black bears are not always black; they range in color from a deep black to white, found on the Kermode Island.
- Black bears are not indigenous to Southern California. They were introduced to San Bernardino from Yosemite when the indigenous Grizzly Bear was hunted to extinction in the early 1900’s.