![]() Black bears often leave the den periodically. While hibernating, bears enter a state of reduced body temperature, pulse rate, and respiration that conserves energy, and do not defecate nor urinate, but can metabolically extract energy from body wastes. Bears hibernate in hollow trees or logs, under the root mass of a tree, or in caves formed by a jumble of large rocks. This enables them to gain fat and survive winter-consuming up to 20,000 calories a day (equal to a human eating 40 Big Mac sandwiches in a day). Bears weigh the most in fall when gorging on acorns and other seasonal foods. Black bears vary greatly in size-the largest black bear captured in Yosemite weighed 690 pounds, which is much larger than the typical male found here that usually weighs around 250 pounds. Truly black-colored black bears are rare in the west. Most of Yosemite's black bears, despite their name, are not black, but are brown in color. Black bears, in contrast to brown bears, have fared much better due to a combination of their greater adaptability around people and different habitat requirements.īlack bears fascinate wildlife enthusiasts due to their unique biology and behaviors. By the early 1900s, few grizzlies and little of their prime habitat in the Central Valley remained. Grizzlies were perceived as a dire threat to life and property, and were killed in large numbers. When Euro-Americans arrived, they found a large population of grizzlies throughout the state. The last known grizzly bear was shot outside the Yosemite region in the early 1920s the species no longer exists in California despite its presence on the California state flag. If visitors spot a bear while in the park, it is a black bear-not a brown or grizzly bear. ![]() Seeing one of the approximately 300 to 500 black bears in Yosemite can evoke excitement, awe, and fear. American black bears ( Ursus americanus) are excellent tree climbers.Īmerican black bears found in Yosemite National Park have long been of intense interest to park visitors and managers.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |