Black bear

Heading out along the edge of the woods in spring, a black bear stops to feed on fresh green growth. The black bear is the only bear species found in most of Manitoba, living in boreal and parkland forests where it forages for berries, roots, insects, and carrion. Despite the name, its coat can range from black to brown or cinnamon.

Black bears are the only bears found in much of Manitoba, and despite the name their coats can range from black to deep brown. They are shy, wide-ranging animals that feed mostly on grasses, berries, and insects, with some fish and carrion when they can find it. Spring is a good time to watch for them along forest edges, when new growth is just starting to appear. Bears spend the winter in a den, emerging in spring, and their keen sense of smell means a respectful distance and never feeding them are essential.

This is a favourite frame of a black bear in spring, feeding along a grassy edge at the treeline.

Black bear walking along a grassy edge in front of bare spring trees

Photos

  • Black bear walking along a grassy edge in front of bare spring trees
  • Black bear standing on the grass in evening light
  • Black bear photographed in Manitoba, 1

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