FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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.
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.
The Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) belongs to the Mammalia class of animals.
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.
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.
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.
These bears are usually solitary creatures. The females stay with their cubs, and pairs will stay together during the mating season.
The lifespan of Louisiana black bears is 15-18 years.
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.
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.
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.
Traditionally, all species, and subspecies, of bears are considered cute animals.
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.
The size range of these bears is up to 6 ft (1.8 m) tall. Black bears are slightly smaller than brown bears.
The data on their speed is unavailable. However, black bears can run up to 24.85 mph (40 kph).
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.
There is no specific name given to the male and female of these bears.
Baby Louisiana black bears are called cubs.
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.
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.
No, these wild animals would not make a good pet. They enjoy being in the forest around water bodies.
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.
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.
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.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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