There are several sub-species or races of the American Black Bear and they all vary in colour such as the Kermodes Bear which can be white, the Glacier Bear which has a bluish coat, and the Cinnamon Bear which has a reddish-brown coat. However the Eastern populations are typically black.

They feed mainly on berries, nuts, tubers, but will also prey on young hoofed animals and sometimes livestock.

Black bear cubs are born in January or February and they will remain in the den with their mother until April or May.