@msolga,
we;ve had our own wildlife problems in the north, lack of food and the growing human population (garbage) have led to an increase in black bears finding their way into populated areas, they're beautiful but rather intimidating when one comes face to face with them
adult
cub in a tree
The American Black Bear usually ranges in length from 150 to 180 cm (5-6 ft) and typically stands about 76 to 91 cm (2.5-3 ft) at the shoulder. Standing up on its hind feet, a Black Bear can be up to 2.12 m (7 ft) tall. Females are 33% smaller than males, an example of sexual dimorphism. Females weigh between 40 and 180 kg (90 and 400 lb); males usually weigh between 162 and 275 kg (355 and 600 lb). Adult black bears can reach 300 kg (660 lb), but exceptionally large males have been recorded from the wild at up to 240 cm (95 in) long and at least 365 kilograms (800 lb). The biggest American Black Bear ever recorded was a male from North Carolina that weighed 400 kg (880 lb). At the other extreme, very small adult bears can weigh as little as 39 kg (85 lb) in females and 47 kg (103 lb) in males. Cubs usually weigh 200 to 450 g (7 to 16 oz) at birth. The adult has small eyes, rounded ears, a long snout, a large body, and a short tail. It has an excellent sense of smell. Though they generally have shaggy black hair, the coat can vary in color from white through chocolate-brown, cinnamon-brown, and blonde (found mostly west of the Mississippi River), to black in the east (the same is generally true in Canada, the border being between Manitoba and Ontario). They occasionally have a slight V-shaped white chest blaze. The tail is 12 cm (4.8 in) long.
Although Black Bears can stand and walk on their hind legs it is more normal for them to walk on all fours. When they do stand, it is usually to get a better scent or to look at something. Their characteristic shuffling gait results from their plantigrade (flat-footed) walk, with the hind legs slightly longer than the forelegs. Another reason for the apparent shuffle is that they commonly walk with a pacing gait. Unlike many quadrupeds, the legs on one side move together instead of alternating, much like a pacer horse. Each paw has five long, strong claws used for tearing, digging, and climbing. Though relatively less powerful than a grizzly bear, black bears are still enormously powerful. One paw swipe from a Black Bear is capable of killing an adult elk. In one account, a 55-kilogram bear cub lifted off a 140 to 146 kg rock "back-handed". When necessary, they can run at speeds up to 48 km/h (30 mi/h) and are good swimmers. The ears of a black bear are larger and more erect than those of the brown bear, and it lacks a prominent shoulder hump.
saw a mother and cub standing on the side of the road this summer while up north, breathtaking sight
