•Black bears begin breeding between 3.5 and 4.5 years of age.

•They breed in the summer.

•They are promiscuous breeders. Males will fight over a receptive female, and black bears do not mate for life.

•A female may mate with several males during a short estrus period, such that cubs from the same litter may have different fathers.

•Females mate every other year if they have enough food to support pregnancy.

•Males mate annually.

•Male black bears do not contribute directly to their offspring, although they do so indirectly by preventing new males from moving into the area.

•The gestation period is seven to eight months.

•Most cubs are born in January and February.

•Females have six nipples, and typically have two cubs per litter (although litters of 3 and 4 cubs, even 5, are not uncommon). The average is 2 or 3 cubs per litter.

•Cubs stay with their mothers approximately 16 months before separating from her. The family bond is very strong, and the mother is affectionate, protective, and devoted to her cubs.

•Poor nutrition affects litter size, breeding interval, age of sexual maturity, and it may even inhibit reproduction altogether.

•Cubs need to weigh at least 40 lbs. to survive the long period of winter hibernation with their mother.