Black Bear

Ursus americanus

Black bears come in a variety of colors, including black, rust, various shades of brown, and even white; and can be found throughout North America. Brown bears include grizzlies and Kodiak (believed by some to be the same species). Once common in California, the last grizzly was killed in 1922. Black bear populations in North America are estimated to be around 200,000; down from an estimated 2 million at the time European explorers first arrived.

Males, known as boars, and females, called sows, first mate when around four years of age. Gestation lasts for a period of 220 days and females normally bear young only every second or third year. Black bear mothers have 1 – 2 offspring, which will stay with her for up to two years. When born they are blind, deaf and nearly hairless. They weigh only 200 – 450 grams (the smallest ratio of offspring to adult in mammals). Much richer than cow’s milk, the milk their mother provides will help them grow quickly. Emerging from their winter den they follow their mother constantly to learn, first-hand, the skills of survival. Despite her efforts, infant mortality is high. In the wild, cubs that survive have a life expectancy of approximately 10 years. In captivity bears often live well into their twenties.

Black bears do not truly hibernate but can go into a “dormant” state, during which time they can go without food for months. When food is available they are big eaters, consuming as much as 45 pounds of food a day. Omnivorous in habit, bears eat a variety of foods including grasses, leaves, nuts and seeds, eggs, fish, insects, small animals and even carrion. Although bears are often associated with a love of honey, wild bears are really more interested in the protein rich larvae within the hive. Of course the delicious honey is a nice accompaniment.

In the wild, bears will tolerate others only when food is plentiful. Generally they lead solitary lives, with the exception of mating. Warnings of displeasure may be with vocalizations such as growls, grunting, huffing or roars. Bears also have an extensive range of body language. A lowered head or opening and closing the mouth quickly are both signs of an unhappy bear. (A group of bears, though uncommon, is called a sleuth or sloth.)

Fisher

DOB: Winter, 1992
FCZS: 12/6/95
Sex: Male
Weight: 612 lbs.

As a youngster Fisher was being taught by his mother to “fish” at a fish cleaning station near Bridgeport, California. After his mother was destroyed, Fisher was captured and ended up here in Folsom.

Fisher now helps the National Park Service and other companies by testing containers that can securely hold food and/or garbage so that bears are not tempted to enter areas where people frequent.

Marty

DOB: Winter, 1996
FCZS: 11/22/03
Sex: Male
Weight: 400 lbs.

Found wounded from a gunshot, Marty was rehabilitated and eventually found his way to the California Department of Fish and Game.

He is the only bear at Folsom that was rescued as an adult.

Along with “roommate” Woody he was able to move into the expanded black bear exhibit which will be his permanent home.

Sequoia

DOB: January, 1998
FCZS: 10/2/98
Sex: Male
Weight: 515 lbs

Sequoia’s early experiences are unknown.

He was dropped off anonymously at an animal rehabilitation center near Tulare, California as a cub.

Though not related, he and Tahoe have basically grown up together and share one of the three areas in the black bear exhibit.

Tahoe

DOB: January 1998
FCZS: 10/2/98
Sex: Female
Weight: 310 lbs.

Tahoe’s mother, apparently injured and limping, along with two cubs, had been seen near a campground at Lake Tahoe, California.

Later the cubs were found alone and begging for food.

The siblings were rescued and Tahoe joined the bears here in Folsom.

Woody

DOB: Winter 2001
FCZS: 11/22/0303
Sex: Male
Weight: 429 lbs.

As a cub, Woody came to live at a California Fish and Game facility after his mother was destroyed as a “problem bear” in the Homewood, California area. He stayed at the Nimbus facility, along with “roommate” Marty, until the expansion of the black bear exhibit at Folsom was completed.

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