•Black bears have lost over 60% of their historical range.

•They are forest dwellers, preferring thick understory vegetation and an abundant supply of fruit and nut-bearing trees and shrubs.

•Lowlands and wetlands offer them succulent vegetation.

•Pools and streams help cool them off and provide them with both animal matter and vegetation.

•The home-range of the male is typically larger than that of a female black bear: 8-60 square miles for males, 1-15 square miles for females. The larger size of the male range makes it impossible to defend it in a territorial manner.

•Black bears mark their territories by rubbing their bodies against trees and clawing at the bark.

•While mostly reclusive and shy, black bears will occasionally congregate at abundant food sources, such as open garbage pits.

•Mothers with cubs prefer large trees (over 20-inches in diameter) with furrowed bark (white pines, hemlocks) for bedding sites and refuge.

•They live longer, healthier lives in remote forests, away from human influences.