Fun Louisiana Black Bear Facts For Kids

The Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) is one of 16 subspecies of the American black bear, of family Ursidae. There are 16 other subspecies of the American black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus). Their diet varies with season and location. The legitimacy of these bears has often been debated. These species became the official state mammal for Louisiana in 1992. These bears were once listed as endangered species in the '80s due to the destruction or modification of habitat. These are adaptable and shy like all other bear species. They do well in locations around humans. These bears are predominantly black in color, and they have a brown muzzle. They can reach up to 400 lb (181 kg). The American black bears and the Asian black bears are sister taxa and are more closely related to each other than any other bear species. As the American black bears do well with other bear species, they seldom produce hybrid offspring. Adult males are heavier than adult females. The mating season of these bear species is summer.

If the Louisiana black bear facts were interesting, you could also check out the Asiatic black bear and sloth bear facts.

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What type of animal is a Louisiana black bear?

The Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) is of the genus Ursus and order Carnivora. These bears are shy and docile. They usually run away if they encounter humans. They are also good swimmers and tree climbers. These black bears are secretive and highly intelligent. Even though they are normally classified as carnivorous, most of the time, they eat plant-based food.

What class of animal does a Louisiana black bear belong to?

The Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) belongs to the Mammalia class of animals.

How many Louisiana black bears are there in the world?

There are around 500-700 Louisiana black bears (Ursus americanus luteolus) as per U.S Fish and Wildlife reports. It is a possibility that by now they have doubled in number.

Where does a Louisiana black bear live?

The historic range of these subspecies of the American black bears occupies a wide range of habitats throughout Louisiana, Arkansas, East Texas, and Mississippi. This bear travels long distances; there have been sightings of this bear in places that are not considered natural bear habitat. They have been sighted in East Baton Rouge, Allen Parish, Natchitoches Parish, Kisatchie National Forest, and Bossier City. These black bear's largest population is in the Atchafalaya river basin and the Tensas river basin. The current main habitat regions are Tensas, Madison, and West Caroll Parishes in the northeast part of Louisiana, Pointe Coupe Parishes in central Louisiana, east-central Louisiana, Richard K. Yancey Wildlife Management Area in Avoyelles, and Concordia Parishes.

As male bears travel more, they have a larger habitat range than females. Cubs travel to eastern Texas and the western part of Mississippi. Louisiana black bears and other American black bear species like the North American black bear have protection in the historic range category.

What is a Louisiana black bear's habitat?

As the name suggests, Louisiana black bear lives in Louisiana and are endemic to their location. These black bears enjoy a wide range of habitats, like forested wetland, parish, upland areas like piny woods habitat. They are also found on the west and east of the Mississippi River. They prefer dense cover with food, water, and other resources. Their habitat depends on the quantity and quality of food available around them.

Who does Louisiana black bear live with?

These bears are usually solitary creatures. The females stay with their cubs, and pairs will stay together during the mating season.

How long does a Louisiana black bear live?

The lifespan of Louisiana black bears is 15-18 years.

How do they reproduce?

The females reach sexual maturity at the age of two to three years. Mating occurs in the months of the summer season. The gestation of females is between seven and eight months. Females give birth to two to three cubs in a den during winter hibernation. The dens have a heavy cover or are built in tree cavities.  These cubs stay with the females for the first year and search their territory in the second summer.

What is their conservation status?

Previously, the conservation status of Louisiana black bears was listed as Threatened or Endangered species. The current conservation status is of Least Concern. As per the U.S Fish and Wildlife data, the service removed these subspecies of American black bears from the list of Threatened and Endangered Wildlife under the Endangered Species Act in 2016 due to recovery. However, they still face threats due to the fragmentation of the forested range. Other significant causes of death are road kills and poaching in Louisiana and Mississippi.

What do Louisiana blacks bear look like?

These subspecies of American black bears are large mammals with thick black fur. Compared to other species, these bears have short tails. They have a brown muzzle and sometimes a white blaze on the chest. They reach up to 6 ft (1.8 m) in length. They have a blunt face with broad nostrils and small eyes. These bears have relatively long, flat, and narrow skulls. They have five short toes with curved claws on both the front and hind legs. They use their claws for feeding and movement. They have large molars.

How cute are they?

Traditionally, all species, and subspecies, of bears are considered cute animals.

How do they communicate?

Louisiana black bears do not have good eyesight but do have a great sense of smell. These bears use their sense of smell to get to their food and remain safe. They also communicate through body language and vocalization.

How big is a Louisiana black bear?

The size range of these bears is up to 6 ft (1.8 m) tall. Black bears are slightly smaller than brown bears.

How fast can a Louisiana black bear run?

The data on their speed is unavailable. However, black bears can run up to 24.85 mph (40 kph).

How much does a Louisiana black bear weigh?

The males are much heavier than the females. The females are 120-180 lb (54.4-81.6 kg), and males are 150-350 lb (68-159 kg). A male can reach a maximum weight of 400 lb (181 kg) and can reach up to 600 lb (272 kg). These bears can weigh four times more than the sun bear.

What are the male and female names of the species?

There is no specific name given to the male and female of these bears.

What would you call a baby Louisiana black bear?

Baby Louisiana black bears are called cubs.

What do they eat?

Louisiana black bears are omnivorous. They enjoy plant-based food more than meat. They feed on fruits like berries and acorns, vegetables, grass, ants, grubs, and carrion.

Are they dangerous?

No, the Louisiana black bears are not dangerous to human beings. However, it is advised to walk away if you come into contact with the bears in the wild or elsewhere. The most dangerous bears are grizzly bears and polar bears. American black bears can be dangerous if provoked, although fatal attacks are rare.

Would they make a good pet?

No, these wild animals would not make a good pet. They enjoy being in the forest around water bodies.

Did you know...

The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries together have drafted a plan to monitor the population of Louisiana black bears for better conservation.

Black bears are also found in swamps and mountains.

Black bears are also found in brown, blonde, and gray-blue colors.

What state in the USA has the highest black bear population?

Generally, the state of California is known to have the highest number of black bears in the United States of America. The Atchafalaya river basin has the highest Louisiana black bear population. However, the state in the USA that has higher Alaska.

What is the most common bear?

The brown bear or the grizzly bear is the most common bear around the world. They are spread across the northern hemisphere, Europe, Asia, and Japan.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals from our spinner dolphin facts and white-cheeked gibbon facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Louisiana black bear coloring pages.